What are choking hazards?

Choking hazards are objects or food that can become lodged in the airway and block the ability to breathe. Choking hazards are particularly dangerous for infants and young children who have developing chewing and swallowing skills.   

Common choking hazards for infants include:

• Small objects or food, like nuts, hot dogs, marbles, and coins.

• Small, round foods like whole blueberries, chickpeas, or grapes.

• Tough, hard, sharp, gummy, sticky, slippery, or rubbery foods.

What are signs of choking?

Signs and symptoms of choking include:

• Difficulty breathing

• Noisy breathing

• Weak or ineffective coughing

• Inability to cry or make sounds

• Bluish skin color (cyanosis)

• Loss of consciousness

Step-by-step: What to do when an infant is choking

If your infant is choking, follow these steps:

1. Back blows: Hold the infant face down on your forearm, while supporting their head. Give up to five firm back blows between the shoulder blades using the heel of your hand. If the back blows do not remove the object or food, continue to step two. 

2. Chest thrusts: Turn the infant face up, while supporting their head. Place two fingers in the center of the chest just below the nipple line and give up to five quick chest thrusts, about 1 ½ inches deep. If the chest thrusts do not remove the object or food, continue to step three.

3. Repeat back blows and chest thrusts: Alternate between five back blows and five chest thrusts until the object or food is expelled or the infant and the infant can cough or cry or if the infant becomes unresponsive.

Do you perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on an infant?

If the infant becomes unresponsive and is not breathing, begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) immediately.

1. Check for breathing: If the infant is not breathing, start CPR.

2. Chest compressions: Place two fingers in the center of the infant's chest and give 30 quick compressions, pressing about 1.5 inches deep.

3. Rescue breaths: Give two gentle breaths to ensure the chest rises.

4. Repeat: Continue cycles of 30 compressions and two breaths until the infant starts breathing or emergency help arrives.

What NOT to do if an infant is choking

• Do not perform blind finger sweeps or attempt to remove the object yourself, as this can push it further into the airway.

• Do not shake the infant. Shaking can cause serious injury.

• Do not delay calling for help. If the infant is not breathing, contact emergency services immediately. 

When to seek emergency help

Seek immediate emergency help if:

• The infant is unable to breathe, cough, or make sounds.

• The infant becomes unresponsive.

• You are unable to dislodge the object after performing back blows and chest thrusts.