Caring for an infant who is choking
- If the infant is crying or coughing forcefully allow the infant to keep coughing
- If the infant is unable to cry or is coughing weakly continue to Step 2 after obtaining consent.
- Turn the infant over so that she is face-down along your forearm.
- Lower your arm onto your thigh so that the infant’s head is lower than her chest.
- Always support the infant’s head, neck and back
- Firmly strike the infant between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand.
- Avoid hitting the infant’s head or neck by keeping your fingers up.
- Turn the infant over so she is face-up along your forearm.
- Lower your arm onto your other thigh so that the infant’s head is lower than her chest.
- Always support the infant’s head, neck and back
- Place the pads of two fingers in the center of the infant’s chest, on the breastbone, just below the nipple line.
- Press down 1 ½ inches and then let the chest return to normal position.