What to Do When Baby Is Choking: A Parent's Guide

Becoming a parent is a rollercoaster of emotions and challenges. One of the most frightening moments you might encounter is when your baby is choking. While it's a scary situation, knowing how to recognise the signs and take immediate action can make all the difference. In this article, we'll cover everything you need to know about what to do when your baby is choking.

Signs That Baby Is Choking

How do I know if my baby is choking on something?

Recognizing the signs of choking in a baby is crucial for quick intervention. If your baby exhibits any of the following symptoms, they may be choking:

1. Difficulty Breathing: Your baby may gasp for breath or have trouble inhaling and exhaling.

2. Coughing or Gagging: Frequent and forceful coughing or gagging is a common sign of choking.

3. Inability to Cry or Make Noise: Choking can temporarily hinder your baby's ability to make noise or cry.

4. Turning Blue: If your baby's skin or lips start turning blue, it's a clear indication of oxygen deprivation and an emergency situation.

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5. Weak Crying or Weak Coughing: A weak cry or cough can signal that something is obstructing your baby's airway.

Baby Gagging vs Baby Choking

Is your baby really choking, or they're just gagging (which is normal in babies)?

Gagging is a normal part of a baby's development as they learn to eat solid foods and explore their environment. As babies learn to eat and experiment with different textures and tastes, they may sometimes gag on their food. This is a normal part of the learning process, and most babies will eventually learn to chew and swallow safely without doing this. 

In another article, we differentiated the two:

Gagging is a normal reflex when food touches the back of the throat and is usually harmless. On the other hand, Choking is a serious medical emergency requiring immediate intervention. While gagging may cause coughing or discomfort, choking can lead to airway blockage, which can be life-threatening.

If you suspect your baby is choking, immediately call for emergency medical help.

Baby Choking First Aid: the Dos and Don'ts

In the event that your baby is choking, you need to keep a clear mind and follow these steps to provide immediate assistance:

What to Do:

1. Assess the Situation: Determine if your baby is indeed choking by checking for the signs mentioned earlier.

2. Call 911: If your baby is choking and unable to breathe, call for emergency help immediately.

3. Back Blows: Hold your baby face down on your forearm, supporting their head and neck. Deliver five firm back blows between their shoulder blades using the heel of your hand.

4. Chest Thrusts: If back blows don't dislodge the object, turn your baby over, place two fingers on their breastbone just below the nipple line, and give five quick chest thrusts.

5. Repeat: Continue alternating between back blows and chest thrusts until the object is expelled, or help arrives.

What Not to Do:

1. Avoid Finger Sweeps: Do not attempt to sweep the baby's mouth with your fingers, as this can push the object farther down the throat.

2. Don't Perform Abdominal Thrusts: Do not perform the Heimlich maneuver on a baby; it's not suitable for infants.

3. Stay Calm: As difficult as it may be, try to remain calm. Panicking can hinder your ability to provide effective assistance.

Baby Choking FAQs

Becoming a parent brings joy and love, but it also comes with numerous questions and concerns. One of the most common worries is about a baby choking. To help ease your worries, we've compiled a list of frequently asked questions regarding baby choking.

1. What Age Do Babies Choke the Most?

Babies are most prone to choking between the ages of 6 months to 4 years. During this time, they tend to explore their world by putting objects in their mouths, which increases the risk of choking. It's crucial to baby-proof your home and be vigilant during meal and playtime to prevent choking incidents.

2. What to Do When Baby Is Choking on Milk?

If your baby is choking on milk while nursing or bottle-feeding, here's what you can do:

• Stay Calm: Keep your composure to provide effective assistance. Again, try to check whether they are just gagging or really choking.
• Pause Feeding: Remove the bottle or breast from your baby's mouth.
• Positioning: Hold your baby with their head slightly downward to help milk drain from the mouth.
• Back Blows: Gently pat your baby's back to encourage them to cough up any milk that may be causing choking.

3. What to Do When Baby Chokes on Saliva While Sleeping?

Choking on saliva while sleeping is relatively common in babies. Here's what to do if it happens:

• Reposition Your Baby: Gently turn your baby onto their side to help saliva flow out more easily.
• Elevate the Head: Consider using a slightly inclined mattress to reduce the risk of choking on saliva during sleep.
• Consult a Pediatrician: If the issue persists or worsens, consult your paediatrician for guidance and a proper evaluation.

4. Will My Baby Be Okay After Choking?

In most cases, babies recover quickly after a choking episode. Their reflexes often help them cough up the obstructing object. However, it's essential to monitor your baby closely, as some situations may require medical attention. If you're ever in doubt or your baby's condition worsens, seek immediate medical assistance.

5. What are Common Choking Hazards for Babies

Preventing choking is just as important as knowing what to do when it happens. Here's a list of common choking hazards for babies, categorised into food and household items:

Common Choking Hazards in Food:

• • Whole grapes or cherry tomatoes (cut them into small pieces)
  • Nuts and seeds (avoid until your baby is older)
  • Hot dogs (slice them lengthwise and then into small, manageable pieces)
  • Hard candies or gum (keep them away from your baby)
  • Popcorn (avoid until your child is older)
  • Large chunks of meat or cheese (cut into bite-sized portions)

Common Household Choking Hazards:

• • Small toys or toy parts
  • Coins
  • Buttons
  • Safety pins
  • Small batteries
  • Balloons (keep them out of reach and supervise play)
  • Jewelry or small objects that your baby might pick up

Can Baby-Led Weaning Cause Choking?

Baby-led weaning is a feeding method that allows babies to feed themselves independently. While it can be a great way to introduce solid foods, it's important to be cautious. Baby-led weaning can increase the risk of choking, as babies are given finger foods from the start. To minimise this risk:

• Always supervise your baby during mealtimes.
• Cut food into small, manageable pieces.
• Offer age-appropriate foods that are easy to grasp and chew.
• Avoid hard, round, or slippery foods that are difficult for little hands to hold.

What to Do If Your Child Swallowed an Object

If your child swallowed something that is not sharp or otherwise potentially dangerous and does not seem stuck in her throat -- she'll probably do just fine on her own by passing the object in her stool and ending up no worse for the experience.

While you wait, and trust us on this -- the wait will be excruciating, keep a close eye on her and call her doctor if she starts vomiting, drooling, refusing to eat, running a fever, coughing, wheezing, or making a whistling sound when she inhales.

Give the doctor a call if you don't see the object in your toddler's stool in the next couple of days. To check that, put the child's poop in a strainer and run hot water over it. Yes, it is icky. But that is your kid’s poo, so deal with it.

Love means doing a lot of things, and running hot water over your child's poop is one of them.

If your baby may have swallowed something sharp like a toothpick or needle, or dangerous like a watch battery or more than one small magnet, take her to the doctor right away even if she seems fine. These things may need to be removed rather than allowed to pass because they may perforate your kid’s oesophagus, stomach or intestines.

So what will the doctor do once you get your kid to the hospital?

This will depend on what your child swallowed and whether it seems to be stuck. The doctor may take an X-ray to find out where the object is or your doctor might use special tools to make sure the object is not stuck in your child’s windpipe. Most likely he'll use an endoscope which is a long, thin, lighted tool thingie if the object is in her oesophagus or stomach.

If the doctor thinks that the object will move safely through your child's system on its own he may tell you to keep an eye on your child and her bowels over the next few days. During this time, he may take additional X-rays to track the progress of the object.

If the object is in your child's airway or stuck in her oesophagus or stomach – or if it's dangerous to wait for the object to pass because it's sharp or otherwise hazardous – the doctor will remove it.

In some instances, surgery is necessary to remove a swallowed object. But that is a worst-case scenario and let’s hope it does not get to that.

How to Prevent Choking in Babies 

We know what you’re thinking right about now. Is there a way, any way, to keep your child from putting things inside her mouth?

The answer is a resounding: “Not really.”

Putting things in their mouth is what young children do. It is a constant risk for you as their parents until they turn about four years old. And even then, things can still get problematic.

Constant lectures about the dangers of swallowing things are also pointless because young children just won’t be listening. In the famous words of Mad-Eye Moody of the Harry Potter series, “Constant vigilance” on your part is the best way to go.

Preventing choking incidents is paramount. Here are some proactive steps you can take to safeguard your baby:

1. Supervision: Always supervise your baby during meals and playtime to ensure they don't put small objects in their mouth. Keep an especially watchful eye on your toddler when you're visiting someone else's home, where all kinds of enticing and not to mention non-childproof items might be within reach. You'll also want to make sure that any toys, dolls, or stuffed animals you give your child are safe for them with no small parts that might come off.

2. Age-Appropriate Foods: Introduce solid foods gradually, starting with soft, easily mashed options like mashed bananas or cooked carrots.

3. Proper Food Preparation: Cut food into small, manageable pieces and avoid hard, round, or slippery items.

4. Baby-Proof Your Home: Regularly inspect your home for small objects, and ensure that choking hazards are out of your baby's reach.

5. Child CPR Training: It is also beneficial for you, your partner and everyone who might or might not be taking care of your child at certain points to be trained in CPR. Consider taking a pediatric CPR and first aid course to equip yourself with life-saving skills.

Danger lurks in every corner especially when there are small children around so take a leaf out of Mad-Eye Moody’s book and keep a “constant vigilance” -- always!

Moreover, knowing how to respond when your baby is choking can be a lifesaving skill for parents. By recognising the signs, preventing choking hazards, and being prepared with proper first aid techniques, you can protect your baby from potential choking incidents.

And remember, in the journey of parenthood, it's essential to trust your instincts and prioritise your baby's safety. If you suspect your baby is choking, don't hesitate—immediately call for emergency medical help. Your quick response can make all the difference in ensuring your baby's well-being. Your vigilant care and swift actions can help keep your precious little one safe and sound.

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Here at theAsianparent Singapore, it's important for us to give information that is correct, significant, and timely. But this doesn't serve as an alternative for medical advice or medical treatment. theAsianparent Singapore is not responsible for those that would choose to drink medicines based on information from our website. If you have any doubts, we recommend consulting your doctor for clearer information.