An infant's airway is narrow; a small piece of food or a toy is enough to block it. The right response in the first seconds saves them — the wrong one (like abdominal thrusts) can harm them.
In short — what to do
- If they are coughing or crying audibly: the airway is not fully blocked — watch closely, don't interfere.
- If they make no sound or turn blue: have someone call 998 immediately.
- 5 back blows: lay the infant face-down along your forearm, head lower than chest, supporting the head; give 5 blows between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand.
- 5 chest thrusts: turn them face-up on your forearm, head still low; press the center of the chest with two fingers 5 times.
- Alternate (5 back + 5 chest) until the object comes out or they lose consciousness.
- If they become unresponsive: start infant CPR immediately.
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The full details
The steps
- If they are coughing or crying audibly: the airway is not fully blocked — watch closely, don't interfere.
- If they make no sound or turn blue: have someone call 998 immediately.
- 5 back blows: lay the infant face-down along your forearm, head lower than chest, supporting the head; give 5 blows between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand.
- 5 chest thrusts: turn them face-up on your forearm, head still low; press the center of the chest with two fingers 5 times.
- Alternate (5 back + 5 chest) until the object comes out or they lose consciousness.
- If they become unresponsive: start infant CPR immediately.
Never with an infant
- Abdominal thrusts (Heimlich) — they injure the organs.
- Blind finger sweeps in the mouth if you can't clearly see the object.
- Shaking them or holding them upside down by the feet.
Prevention
Cut food lengthwise for small pieces (grapes and carrots especially), and keep away anything smaller than a coin — balloons, magnets and button batteries are the most dangerous.
This content is for general health education only and is not medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional. In an emergency, call 998.