Do you know exactly what to do if your baby or young child is choking?
According to an article by the National Safety Council, choking was the 4th leading cause of unintentional deaths back in 2011.
Common choking hazards are foods, toys and household items. Always make sure to supervise your young children when they are eating and playing.
I am linking to 3 videos to help us moms (and other caregivers) refresh this information. The videos will take you less than 10 minutes to watch, but could be invaluable to you if you ever find yourself near a choking child. You could save a life!
This is a bit scary for me to put together because I don’t want to think of my kids choking. But it’s better to be prepared and fast acting than to panic and be afraid. Pin this post. Share with your friends, husbands and family members, who have young kids and don’t forget to share with your older kids if they are babysitters or help out with your younger ones at home.
The Baby
Main Points: If you cannot see the object in your baby’s mouth DO NOT do a blind sweep. This could push the object further down. If after 3 cycles of Back Blows and Chest Thrusts you are unable to dislodge the object call 911 but continue with the Back Blows and Chest Thrusts until help arrives or the object is dislodged.
The Conscious Child
Main Points: Lower yourself to the level of the child. With your fist against the tummy, right about the belly button begin inward and upward thrusts. Do this until object is cleared or child becomes unconscious. If the child does become unconscious call 911.
The Unconscious Child
Main Points: Do 30 chest compressions. If you see the object in the child’s mouth you can go in and sweep it out carefully.
Have you ever had a choking scare with your kids? What did you do? Leave a comment below.
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This is such important information so thanks for sharing. My daughter was about 5 when she had one of those round lollies on a stick, (we call them chupa chups here in the uk) the round lolly bit came off the stick and she chocked. We were round a neighbours house, who in a second had her upside down and was whacking her back – the lolly flew across the room. One of the scariest few seconds of my life even though it was all over before I had really realised what was happening.
Needless to say none of my kids were ever allowed those kind of lollies again. My daughter is now grown up but she still remembers it!
Here we have a lot of information around at the moment about grapes, and how you must cut them in half before giving them to small children – scary stuff!
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Julie, what a scary moment!! My daughter was choking on her dads lap and he didn’t even notice. Luckily I could tell she looked funny and he scooped out his gatorade cap out of her mouth. It was such a scary moment for me and I was so glad I was there because my husband did not notice until I started yelling for him to look at her. She was just a baby, probably 9 months old. It’s good to have a refresher so you know what to do. Thanks for sharing!