How to Help a Choking Child

Your child may choke on the food he eats, the fluid he drinks, or anything he puts in his mouth that is small enough to block his airway cutting off his air supply. It is important to recognize the signs when a child is choking in order to give immediate help or first aid. Some common indications that something is blocking the child’s throat include coughing a lot, inability to speak, cry, or breath, face turning bluish, or in the worst case, the child passes out. Here are things you can do to help a choking child and save his life.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Basic knowledge on first aid

1. If your child is coughing, do nothing. Coughing clears the throat and airway. However, stay close to your child and watch him carefully. Do not try to give your child something to drink to stop the cough. As soon as the coughing stops, let your child relax.

2. If your child swallowed something and has difficulty breathing, act quickly. Stand behind him right away and wrap your arms around his waist.

3. Make a fist with your one hand then put the thumb side of your fist on the upper stomach right under the ribs, just below the chest and slightly above the navel.

4. Place your other hand over your fist then give your child a quick squeeze in the stomach. Do it in an upward push. This will help make the object or food blocking his throat to come out of his mouth.

5. Repeat step 4 until the thing that is choking your child pops out from his mouth. Once the object comes out, take your child to the doctor right away for further checkup.

6. If the food or solid thing does not come out of the child’s mouth, look inside his mouth and take out anything you see. Then take your child to the doctor to check if he is okay.

7. If a child is choking and cannot breathe or if he passed out, shout for help and call 911 immediately.

Tips & Warnings

• To prevent choking, do not give young children anything to eat that is small, hard, and round. Teach your children to chew their food properly before swallowing. Also, do not give them toys that have parts that pose to be choking hazards. Most importantly, watch your children while they eat to prevent choking accident from happening.

[SeemissesG]

on 7/15/2009 Another well written helpful article to help save a child's life and help if a child is choking. Thank you!

[femwriter]

on 7/12/2009 As a new mom, I find this article informative, thanks!

[Coach4U]

on 7/9/2009 This is so important for everyone to know how to help a child (or adult) who is choking. "5"

[jenng]

on 6/11/2009 Great article on how to help a child choking 5*

[goodselfme]

on 6/2/2009 Thank you for passing along the ways to help a choking child. Heimlich should be taught in PE at school to everyone.