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If someone needs immediate help with infant choking, use emergency mode.
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DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — An infant under 1 year who cannot cry, cough, or breathe because something is blocking their tiny airway.
The essentials if you need to act right now.
Face-down back slaps, then two-finger chest thrusts. Repeat until clear or limp.
What might I see? Observable signs — no diagnosis required.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Suddenly unable to cry or cough — silent struggle to breathe.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Bluish lips, wide frightened eyes, weak or no breath sounds.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — If coughing forcefully and crying between coughs — airway is partly open. Watch closely but do not slap yet.
Optional deeper explanation — not required to act.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Babies choke easily on milk, formula, soft food, or small objects. Their airway is narrow and blocks completely very quickly.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — An infant can become unconscious within 1-2 minutes of complete blockage.
Check the scene before you approach.
Civilian-safe actions you can take.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Support the baby's head and neck. Check: are they coughing or crying effectively?
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — If silent and not breathing well — start back slaps immediately.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Shout for someone to call 112.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Back slaps: Lay the baby face-down along your forearm, head lower than chest. Support the head. Give up to 5 firm slaps between the shoulder blades.
When and how to get professional help.
Call 112 if the baby becomes limp, stops breathing, or obstruction is not cleared.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Use infant-specific back slaps and two-finger chest thrusts only. Never shake a baby.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call 112. Say: "Baby choking — under 1 year. Not breathing properly."
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — If alone and baby goes limp — call on speaker and start infant CPR.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Tell them what the baby was eating or mouthing.
Useful questions before or while you help.
Dangerous actions, when not to attempt rescue, and common myths.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT shake the baby — ever.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT use abdominal thrusts or adult Heimlich on an infant.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT finger-sweep unless you clearly see the object in the mouth.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT give water or milk to "wash it down."
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — You should hold a choking baby upside down by the ankles
Other scenarios in the same family.
Child choking
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A child who cannot cough, speak, or breathe effectively because something is blocking their airway.
Adult choking
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — An adult who is clutching their throat, cannot speak or cough effectively, and is struggling to breathe because something is blocking their airway.
Self-rescue choking
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — You are choking on food or an object and no one is nearby to help. You must try to dislodge it yourself or call for help immediately.
Choking — pregnant or obese
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A pregnant person or someone who is very overweight is choking and cannot breathe — abdominal thrusts may be unsafe, so use chest thrusts instead.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Chest thrusts: Turn baby face-up on your forearm or thigh. Use two fingers on the center of the chest. Push about 4 cm deep up to 5 times.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Alternate 5 back slaps and 5 chest thrusts until the object comes out or the baby goes limp.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — If limp — lay on firm surface, call 112, start infant CPR with two-finger compressions.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Every infant choking episode needs hospital evaluation after rescue — even if breathing returns to normal.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Limp unresponsive infant — CPR and emergency care without delay.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Hold the baby face-down along your forearm with head supported and lower than chest for back slaps. Never shake or dangle by ankles.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Shaking or unsupported inversion can cause brain injury or fail to dislodge the object.