Is your little one going to be starting solids soon? Weaning is an exciting time for parents and babies as they start a new phase of life! But it also comes with new worries one of which is choking.
Choking is a very common fear and lots of parents book our classes because they’re approaching the weaning phase and are worried about their little one choking.
So on this week’s blog we’re going to tell you all about how to help a choking baby.
Recognition
The first step towards helping a choking baby is to be able to recognise when they are choking severely. Babies who are learning how to eat will often gag, cough and go red in the face. This isn’t choking. Babies who are gagging and going red will usually work out whatever’s in their mouths themselves so they don’t need us to intervene.
Babies who are choking severely will be silent, may have a panicked or surprised look on their face and their eyes may bulge. They may go red initially but then they’ll start to go a grey or blueish colour. This is when they need our help as quickly as possible.
ACT FAST
Follow these steps to help a baby under 12 months old:
Sit or kneel and lay the baby over your lap with their head lower than their bottom and their face pointing down whilst supporting their chest.
1 – Deliver up to 5 blows to their back in between the shoulder blades using the heel of your hand.
2 – If the blockage hasn’t been removed, turn the baby over to face you with their head still lower than their bottom. Use 2 fingers to give up to 5 chest thrusts on top of baby’s ribcage.
3 – Call 999 and repeat these measures until the blockage is removed or help arrives.
If the baby goes unconscious start CPR while you wait for the ambulance to arrive.
It’s really important to do a first aid class so you can practise these techniques before you’re in an emergency situation so you’ll know exactly what to do and can act quickly and with confidence.
Click here to find your local Daisy First Aid trainer and learn essential first aid skills for babies and children from newborn up to adulthood.
Choking hazards
Did you know that cocktail sausages and chipolatas are actually one of the top choking hazards for babies and young children? They are the perfect shape and size to completely block a small child’s airway. So this Christmas, make sure you cut those pigs in blankets lengthways.
Whole nuts shouldn’t be given to children under 5 as they pose a serious choking risk.
Also ensure foods such as grapes, cherry tomatoes, raw fruit and vegetables and hard cheeses are all prepared in a way that minimises the risk of choking.
We wish you and your little one a happy and safe weaning journey!