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Signs a baby is choking: what to do

Distressed baby gagging, blue around lips and eyes

Here are signs a baby is choking: coughing, gagging, wheezing, distress, choking noises, rattling breathing sounds, no breathing, no sounds, paleness, blue colour, and loss of consciousness.

If a baby is choking, call 000

If a baby shows any signs of choking, phone 000 immediately. Follow the steps to clear a blockage, shown next. The operator will stay on the line to help you.

Holding a baby on its tummy, give 5 back blows

Lay baby down on your forearm. Hold baby’s mouth open with your fingers. Use the heel of your hand to give baby a firm back blow between the shoulder blades. Give up to five back blows. Check between each blow to see if the blockage has cleared.

Choking first aid: next steps

Lay baby on their back and give 5 chest thrusts

If the blockage hasn’t cleared, lay baby on their back. Put two fingers in the centre of the chest, and give up to five chest thrusts – like CPR compressions but slower and sharper. Check to see if the blockage has cleared between each thrust.

Remove loosened blockage and put baby into the recovery position

If the blockage has come loose or been removed, remove the object with your little finger. Put baby into the recovery position on their side with their head tilted down.

Alternate chest thrusts and back blows for a choking baby

If baby is still choking, alternate five back blows and five chest thrusts until emergency help arrives. If baby becomes unconscious, start baby CPR.

Choking prevention

Remove small objects like lollies, Lego, coins, pen caps, food

Babies and young children can choke on anything smaller than a 20-cent piece. Keep small objects out of reach. Check the floor by getting down to your baby’s height and looking around.

Supervise when baby is eating solid foods, avoid hard foods

Always supervise babies while they’re eating solid food. Keep food pieces small. Cook, grate or mash hard food like hard fruits and vegetables. Avoid whole nuts and other hard foods.

Check toys for small or breakable parts, button batteries, exposed stuffing and loose screws.

Always follow the age recommendations on toys. Avoid toys with small parts, breakable parts, brittle surfaces or button batteries. Check toys for exposed stuffing and loose screws and buttons.

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Raising Children Network is supported by the Australian Government. Member organisations are the Parenting Research Centre and the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute with The Royal Children’s Hospital Centre for Community Child Health.

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