As a parent, carer, or someone looking after a child it is important to know what to do if a child starts choking, especially as it is a common accident and it is essential to recognise it to ensure the best outcome. Young children always put things into their mouths to explore the world such as small objects or food. So, it is important to keep small objects out of the reach of children. 

In the UK, each day around 40 children under the age of 5 are taken to hospital due to choking on something. 

WHAT TO DO IF YOUR CHILD (OVER 1) IS CHOKING

Let's take a look at what you need to do if a child (over the age of 1) is choking...

1. Recognising that the child is choking and encourage the child to cough. If the cough becomes ineffective, make sure you shout for help straight away and stay with the child. 
2. Back blows- Lean the young child over your lap and give up to 5 sharp back blows between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hands. If this does not help and the obstruction is still not clear you should give abdominal thrusts. 
3. Abdominal thrusts- Stand or kneel behind the child, placing both arms around them. Then clench your fist and place it just below the ribs, grasp this fist with your other hand and then pull sharply inwards and upwards. Do this for up to 5 times and ensure that you do not apply pressure to the lower ribcage as this could cause damage. 
4. If the obstruction is still not clear keep repeating steps 2 and 3, if the treatment seems ineffective shout for help, and ask someone to call 999/112 for emergency help. Remember that if the child becomes unconscious you need to start CPR. 

WHAT TO DO IF YOUR BABY (UNDER 1) IS CHOKING

When a baby is choking they may attempt tp cough and if only mild it may clear the obstruction, however, if the cough is ineffective you should do the following...

1. Back blows- Firstly, shout for help and do not leave the baby. Sit down and lay your baby face down along your thighs, ensuring that you support their head with your hand. Then give up to 5 sharp back blows between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand. If the obstruction is still not clear you should give chest thrusts.
2. Chest thrusts- Lay your baby face-up, along the length of your thighs, use 2 fingers to give up to 5 chest thrusts- compressing the chest by about a third. These chest thrusts are similar to chest compressions, although sharper in nature and delivered at a slower rate.
3. If the obstruction is still not clear keep repeating steps 2 and 3, if the treatment seems ineffective shout for help, and ask someone to call 999/112 for emergency help. Remember that if the child becomes unconscious you need to start CPR. 

NEVER perform abdominal thrusts on a baby.

If you would like to learn more about what to do if a child is choking and become a confident First Aider you can take either our Level 3 Emergency Paediatric First Aid or the Level 3 OFSTED Approved Paediatric First Aid course. On both of the Paediatric First Aid courses, you will learn about CPR and other important topics if you would like to know more about the course differences check out our other blog post. 

If you need any help with deciding which course is suitable for you or help with booking on one of our courses, please get in touch with us today.