Choking Infants, What to Look For & How to Help:

For many new parents choking can be one of the potentially biggest threats to a life of their newborn or infant. It can happen so fast and can be caused by just about anything as little ones seem to have a knack for putting just about everything into their mouth. Many Doctors will refer new parents to take a First Aid course prior to the arrival of their newest Minion to help prepare and arm them with the best techniques and knowledge in case of emergencies.

Age Groups can be tricky so we have the following break down, infants are from the age of 0-1 or when they begin to wear toddler size pants and are ambulatory, Children are from 1 to pubescence or 8 years old, anyone with signs of pubescence on is classified as an Adult. For this Post we will focus on Infants or Babies age 0 to 1.

Recognize Chocking in Infants:

Infants just like all age groups have a way to communicate and their basic language once you figure it out can be invaluable to any parent. All infants are equipped with the same “Body Language” which gives us as parents or guardians an edge on how to communicate with any infant. “Pooping Face is Pooping Face” no matter where your place of birth is, just like Choking face is Choking Face. Babies or Infants all have relatively the same reaction to Choking and the signs are easy to spot once you’ve seen them and been informed about them.

• -The Baby will stiffen their arms either up above their head or straight out clenching their fist or have open palms
• -The Baby will lean forward
• –The Baby will attempt to clear their own airway with a strained “cough” sound
• -If the Babies airway is completely blocked no sound will be heard and rapid face color change may occur then unconsciousness.

For the Conscious Choking Baby “Don’t Waste Time“

1. 1) Crouch down & Sandwich the baby between your forearms supporting the head
2. 2) Turn the Baby face down with the head lower than the body “Draw them in close to your body like a clutch or football“
3. 3) Lower your forearm with the baby onto your thigh so the head is lower than the feet and the infants back is facing you.
4. 4) Deliver 5 FIRM BACK BLOWS between the shoulder blades to dislodge the object.
5. 5) If the object has not been dislodged, while supporting the head roll/turn the baby face up with your supporting arm on your thigh.
6. 6) Place 2 fingers on the middle of the chest just below the nipple line and “Push hard, Push Fast” about 1/3rd the depth of the chest delivering 5 FIRM CHEST THRUSTS.
7. 7) Repeat the 5 FIRM BACK BLOWS & 5 FIRM CHEST THRUSTS until the object comes free or the infant becomes unconscious.

If the Baby becomes unconscious place them on a firm flat surface “Floor” and begin CPR immediately! 30 Compression 2 breaths, the object may come free once CPR has began. If you can see the object Never attempt to Grab it between your fingers & never perform a “Blind Finger Sweep” you only want to sweep for an object if you can see it.

To Perform a Finger Sweep:

1) Using your Pinkie Finger “Hook” your finger into their mouth using their cheek as a guide to slip your finger between the cheek and gums to the back of the throat behind the object.

2) “Roll” your wrist so that your pinkie finger is positioned under the object.

3) “Flick” the object free

• -HOOK / ROLL / FLICK & BE QUICK That is the Pinkie Trick.

We never know what can happen, its always good to be prepared and have the knowledge we need to help those who need it.

“This material is for information purposes only and is taken from The Canadian Red Cross / Alberta Heart & Stroke Foundation & Alberta Health Services. This information should not be used in place of medical, Technical advice, instructor, and/or treatment. If you have questions, speak to your local Physician or Safety Training Facility.”

Just Remember:

Protect Yourself!!! Call 911!!! Don’t Waste Time!!!

Learn First Aid Today & Save a Life Tomorrow with Saving Grace Medical Academy Ltd.