First Aid procedures: choking in babies

The definition of a baby is aged up to one year

Immediate first aid is essential if a baby is choking.

A choking baby makes strange noises as it attempts to cry, and possibly becomes blue in the face.

Apply the following techniques in sequence until the obstruction clears and the baby is able to breathe freely.

Back blows – Give up to 5 back blows

• Lay baby along line of your arm, face down, supporting their head with your hand and with head lower than body
• Give sharp blows between the shoulder blades with heel of your hand, pausing between each blow to check if obstruction has cleared
• If not, continue for up to five blows

Chest thrusts – Give up to 5 chest thrust

• Turn baby to face you along your other arm
• Check mouth again using one finger - don't sweep blindly around the mouth
• With two fingers in the middle of the chest, push inwards and upwards
• Check the mouth quickly after each one.

If the obstruction does not clear after three cycles of back blows and chest thrusts dial 999 for an ambulance.

Continue until help arrives and be prepared to resuscitate.

Seek medical advice for any baby who has been given chest thrusts as there is a risk of internal damage.

The British Red Cross last medically reviewed this article in December 2009.