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What is choking?

When someone is choking, they are not able to speak or cough. Coughing is the natural way for people to clear their throats. Do NOT use any of the maneuvers below if your child is still coughing.

If you are concerned about your child’s coughing from near-choking, call 911, your emergency number, or Call Our Office Now.

What to do if your child starts choking:

1) Children can choke if:

  • Food is breathed into the windpipe.

  • Food is lodged in the esophagus, compressing the windpipe from behind.

2) Do NOT stick your finger in your child’s mouth because this could cause the object to lodge deeper into her throat.

3) For a child younger than one year, hold your child face and head  down with her chest on your upper thigh. You can do this with your hand  holding her chest. Strike your child’s back between the shoulder blades  with the heel of your palm three times.

4) For a child older than one year, try using the Heimlich maneuver:

  • Find the bottom of your child’s breast bone. It should feel like a point sticking out about 4 inches above the belly button.

  • From behind your child, place one fist with the thumb-side inward  between the belly button and the bottom of the breast bone. If your fist  is too high, you can break ribs and injure her lungs.

  • Reach around with your other hand and grip your fist.

  • Thrust your fist inward and upward.

  • If your child starts to cough or speak, do NOT repeat the thrust.

  • If your child is still choking, repeat the thrusting maneuver a  total of three times. Then call 911 or your emergency number now.

5) Even if your child stops choking it is still a good idea to have her checked by a physician. Call Our Office Now.

Prevention

Prevent your child from running with anything in her mouth.

Your child should never lie down while eating.

You should not leave your baby alone with a propped up bottle.

Small food pieces that are round, hard, or difficult to chew should  not be given to children. These items should never be given to children  under age 5:

  • Nuts

  • Hard candies

  • Hot dogs

  • Raw carrots

  • Popcorn

  • Grapes

  • Raisins

  • Small toy parts

  • Coins

  • Jewelry

We recommend that you never give these items to your child:

  • Rubber balloons (mylar balloons are less of a choking risk)

  • Buttons

  • Button batteries

  • Nails

  • Small coins

  • Screws

  • Jewelry batteries

  • Safety pins

Choking

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