How To Treat the Choking Conscious Infant

Severe upper airway obstruction in an infant (under age 1 year), caused by choking on a foreign object.

Cyanosis

Retractions

Inability to cry or make much sound

Weak, ineffective coughing

Stridor

Do not do back blows or chest thrusts if the infant stops breathing for reasons other than an obstructed airway (eg, asthma, infection, swelling, or a blow to the head).

None

Rib injury or fracture

Internal organ injury

None

This rapid first aid procedure is done immediately wherever the infant is choking.

The epiglottis usually protects the airway from aspiration of foreign objects. Objects that are aspirated beyond the epiglottis may be stopped by the vocal cords in the larynx and, at this level or below, cause life-threatening airway obstruction.

In infants and children, the cricoid cartilage, which lies inferior to the vocal cords, is the narrowest part of the upper airway. Sometimes, objects become trapped between the vocal cords and the cricoid ring, resulting in an obstruction that is particularly difficult to clear.

For back blows, place the infant prone along your forearm, using your thigh or lap for support. Hold the infant’s chest in your hand and the jaw with your fingers. Tilt the infant head-downward, such that the head is lower than the body (see figure Back blows—infant Back blows—infant ).

For chest thrusts, place the infant supine along your forearm, using your thigh or lap for support. Hold the back of the infant's head in your hand. Again, incline the infant such that the head is dependent to the body (see figure Chest thrusts—infant Step-by-Step Description of Procedure Choking in an infant is usually caused by a small object the baby has placed in its mouth (eg, food, toy, button, coin, or balloon). If the airway obstruction is severe, then back blows followed... read more ).

Determine if there is severe airway obstruction, which may endanger the infant’s life. Look for signs of severe airway obstruction, such as the inability to cry audibly, cough effectively, or breathe adequately (eg, stridor, retractions, cyanosis).

If the infant has a strong cry or is coughing hard, do not do these procedures. If you have determined that the infant has severe airway obstruction, proceed with the following procedures.

Tell someone to call 911 while you begin first aid. If you are alone, shout for help and begin first aid.

Hold the infant face-down along your forearm using your thigh or lap for support. Hold the infant’s chest in your hand and open the jaw by pulling the mandible with your fingers. Point the infant’s head downward and lower than the body.

Give up to 5 quick, forceful back blows between the infant’s shoulder blades using the palm of your free hand.

Check the mouth to see whether the aspirated foreign body is visible; if it can be easily removed, remove it.

If the object does not come out of the airway after 5 back blows, turn the infant face-up.

Hold the infant face-up along your forearm using your thigh or lap for support. Hold the head in your hand with the head lower than the torso.

Place 2 fingers on the middle of the infant’s sternum just below the nipples. Avoid the lower ribs or the tip of the sternum.

Give up to 5 quick thrusts, compressing the chest about 1/3 to ½ the depth of the chest—usually about 1.5 to 4 cm (0.5 to 1.5 inches) for each thrust.

Continue to deliver 5 back blows followed by 5 chest thrusts until the object is dislodged or the infant becomes unconscious.

Do not try to grasp and pull out the object if the infant is conscious.

If the infant becomes unresponsive (unconscious), shout for help and begin infant cardiopulmonary resuscitation Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) in Adults Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is an organized, sequential response to cardiac arrest, including Recognition of absent breathing and circulation Basic life support with chest compressions... read more (CPR). If you are alone, after 1 minute of CPR call 911.

If the infant is unconscious and you can see the object blocking the airway, try to remove it with a finger. Try to remove the object only if you can see it.

Carefully examine the infant as soon as possible, even after successful removal of the airway obstruction and resumption of normal breathing.

Do not do back blows or chest thrusts if the choking infant can cry audibly, cough forcefully, or breathe adequately.

Do not do back blows or chest thrusts if the infant stops breathing for reasons other than an obstructed airway (eg, asthma, infection, angioedema, head injury). Do give CPR in these cases.

Do not do blind finger sweeps on infants.

Do not do abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver) on infants.

It is important to use gravity as an ally. Keep the infant's head lower than its torso during the procedure.