Conscious Choking Infants

Conscious Choking Infants

If you determine that there is a conscious choking infant who cannot cough, cry or breathe, you will need to give 5 back blows and 5 chest thrusts. Follow these steps:

Back blows:

Position the infant face-up on your forearm with his or her head lower than the chest. Support the head, and neck by holding it firmly in the palm. Than turn the infant over face-down, give 5 firm back blows with the heel of your hand, while supporting your forearm on your thigh.

Chest thrusts:

If the object is not ejected with back blows, turn the infant face-up. Hold the infant between your hands and forehands, while supporting the head and neck and make sure that the head is lower than the chest.

Support the forearm with your thighs, and use 2-3 fingers to locate the infants breastbone, which will be in the center of the nipples. Using 2-3 fingers compress the breastbone 1½ inches and let the breastbone return to normal, give 5 thrusts.

Continue giving back blows and chest thrusts until the object is forced out. If you see it, remove it from the mouth, so the child can begin to breathe on his/her own.