CPR and Choking
Knowing what to do in
an emergency will help keep your baby safe.
Infants easily choke on things because they like to put things into
their mouths. When an infant chokes on something, their body is not
getting enough oxygen. Sometimes if the baby doesn't get oxygen
fast enough, brain damage can happen. To prevent this and other
accidents, it’s best to be prepared and learn these basic skills.
The Facts
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), Choking and suffocation is the 3rd leading cause of death for infants under the age of 1
Tips
Choking Steps
- Stay Calm. The calmer you are, the more likely you are to react appropriately.
- Make sure your house doesn’t have small parts lying around. Use the choking tube from the extra materials to test what items are too small for your baby.
- Often times toys will have small parts so be sure to check all toys to make sure they fit your baby's age. Most toys will say what age they are safe for.
- Educate yourself. Watch our video for the basics but become certified in infant first aid. Contact your local Red Cross to find a class.
Choking Steps
- First be sure that your baby really is choking. You will know your baby is choking because he will have a hard time breathing, he might have a bluish skin color or he may not be able to make any noise at all. If he is coughing or crying let him continue. Crying or coughing can naturally dislodge the object.
- Call 911 and follow their instructions. Their instructions may be similar to the following:
- Once you know that your baby really is choking lie him facing down on your forearm. You can use your lap or thigh for support. Have your baby’s head supported with your hand. Make sure that your baby’s head is lower than the rest of their body.
- Once in position, give 5 quick back blows between your baby’s shoulder blades with the palm of your free hand.
- If the item does not come out of their airway, turn the infant face up. Be sure to support their head. You can use your lap or thigh for support.
- Find the center between their nipples and place one finger in that spot. Then place two additional fingers below and lift up the first finger you put down. Then push into their chest 1/3 to 1/2 the depth of the chest 5 times to complete chest thrusts.
- Continue switching between back blows and chest thrusts until the object comes out.
- First as always you want to make sure that there is no response. For an infant, flicking their feet will usually get a response. If there is no response, continue with CPR. “No Response” means that your baby will have a hard time breathing, he might have a bluish skin color or he may not be able to breathe at all. Call 911 and follow their instructions.Their instructions will be similar to the following:
- If there is no breathing happening start chest compressions. To start, bare the chest. Find the center between their nipples and place one finger in that spot. Then place two additional fingers below and lift up the first finger you put down. Then push into their chest 1/3 to ½ the depth of the chest. You want them to be fairly fast. Count 1 & 2 & 3….. This is the same beat as “Staying Alive” by the Bee Gee’s. If it helps, sing that song in your head and perform chest compressions to the beat.
- Continue doing chest compressions until help arrives or your baby start’s to show signs of life again.
Resources
*This program was created by University of Utah Health Promotion & Education students as part of a capstone project. This program was not created by medical professionals. The information on the Oh Baby Program blog and videos were designed for educational purposes only. The information is not intended to replace informed medical advice or care. Please consult your family doctor with any questions or concerns you might have about your health or the health of your children. In the event of an emergency dial 911.
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