Choking Signs in Infants

Choking Signs in Infants

Emergency healthcare providers often have pediatric advanced life support (PALS) training as well as pediatric emergency assessment, recognition and stabilization (PEARS). However, the majority of parents do not have the advantage of having this type of training.
For many new parents, one of the most common unknowns is how to recognize if your child is choking.
Infants  make lots of noise, and it is sometimes quite difficult to tell when a noise is a sign of an emergency. Here are a few ways to tell if your infant is choking. If you notice any of the following, especially while your child is eating, seek emergency medical help immediately.

1. The infant’s face becomes darker and/or develops a blue color.
2. The infant cries, but there is no sound.
3. The infant appears agitated and begins moving around.
4. The infant appears to not be able to breathe.

The following are five tips to assist in the administration of first aid to a choking baby:

A. Assess the situation. If a baby is not able to to cry or cough, something may be blocking the airway. If the baby is coughing or gagging, the baby’s airway may only be partially blocked. In this situation, it is important to continue to let the baby cough in the hopes of dislodging the object.
B. Call 911. If you’re unsure about what to do with a choking baby; call 911 or have a friend or family member call 911 for you. Time is imperative so the sooner you call 911, the sooner the infant can receive adequate advanced first aid and treatment.
C. Use back blows. To give back blows to the infant, place the baby face-up on one forearm and cradle the back of the head with the same hand. Next, place the other hand and forearm on the baby’s front, use your fingers and thumb to hold open the baby’s jaw and turn the baby over face-down on your forearm. Then, with the heel of your hand, give five firm back blows between the baby’s shoulder blades.
D. Perform chest thrusts. To perform chest thrusts, place your thumb and fingers to hold a baby’s jaw open and keep the baby between your forearms to ensure maximum head and neck support. Next, place the tips of two or three fingers in the center of the baby’s chest and push straight down on the chest approximately 1.5 inches. Administer five chest thrusts, and allow the chest to come back to its normal position after each thrust.
E. Repeat 5 back blows and 5 chest thrusts until the object is removed or emergency medical personnel have arrived.

CPR and First Aid are wonderful skills for parents to learn while gaining confidence needed to administer chest compressions and rescue breaths to their child or infant in the event of an unexpected choking emergency. These classes allow parents to practice CPR techniques while gaining real-world insights from medical personnel.
To find out more about upcoming Infant and Child CPR and First Aid classes, call us at 210-380-5344.