What causes choking
Small things or lumps of food can cause choking and stop your baby breathing.
Keep small things away from your baby.
Watch while your baby eats. Cut up, grate or mash food into small pieces.
Is your baby choking? Get help now
Baby choking signs – noisy breathing, coughing, trouble breathing, your baby won’t wake up.
Emergency!
Call 000 straight away. The 000 operator will tell you how to clear the blockage. Do what the operator tells you.
What to do if your baby is choking
Lay your baby face down along your thigh, arm or lap.
Give 5 sharp back blows between your baby’s shoulder blades. Look in your baby’s mouth between each blow to check whether the blockage has cleared.
If your baby is still choking, lay your baby on their back. Put 2 fingers in the centre of the chest between the nipples and give 5 firm, quick chest pushes.
Look in your baby’s mouth to see whether the blockage has cleared. If the blockage is still there and your baby is still choking, repeat back blows and chest pushes.
Do 5 back blows and 5 chest pushes until the blockage moves or medical help arrives.
If your baby becomes unconscious at any time, start chest pushes and air puffs.