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Choking in an Infant: What to Do

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Step-by-Step

  1. Baby with mouth open, choking.

    Look for signs of choking.

  2. Phone with 911 on screen.

    Call 911 if your baby can’t breathe or make sounds.

  3. Adult sitting, holding baby face-down on forearm on thigh, with one hand under baby’s chin and other hand on baby’s head.

    Put your baby face-down on your forearm.

  4. Baby’s back with area between shoulder blades highlighted.

    Give back slaps between the shoulder blades.

  5. Adult holding baby face-down on forearm, with arrow pointing from heel of raised hand to baby’s upper back.

    Use the heel of your hand to give 5 back slaps.

  6. Adult sitting, holding baby face-up on forearm on thigh, with one hand under baby’s head and other hand on baby’s chest.

    Turn your baby face-up.

  7. Baby’s front torso with area on breastbone just below nipple line highlighted.

    Give chest thrusts just below the nipple line.

  8. Adult holding baby face-up on forearm, with heel of hand pushing just below nipple line.

    Use the heel of your hand to give 5 chest thrusts.

  9. Object flying out of baby’s open mouth.

    Repeat these steps until the object pops out.

Featured in

Online Medical Reviewer: Marianne Fraser MSN RN

Online Medical Reviewer: Rita Sather RN

Online Medical Reviewer: Ronald Karlin MD

Date Last Reviewed: 08/01/2024

© 2000-2026 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.

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