Choking in an Infant: What to Do

Here are images that show the steps for helping a baby who is choking.

FacebookXLinkedinEmailCopy LinkPrint

Step-by-Step

  1. Baby with mouth open, choking.

    Look for signs of choking.

  2. Phone with 911 on screen.

    Call 911 if your baby can’t breathe or make sounds.

  3. Adult sitting, holding baby face-down on forearm on thigh, with one hand under baby’s chin and other hand on baby’s head.

    Put your baby face-down on your forearm.

  4. Baby’s back with area between shoulder blades highlighted.

    Give back slaps between the shoulder blades.

  5. Adult holding baby face-down on forearm, with arrow pointing from heel of raised hand to baby’s upper back.

    Use the heel of your hand to give 5 back slaps.

  6. Adult sitting, holding baby face-up on forearm on thigh, with one hand under baby’s head and other hand on baby’s chest.

    Turn your baby face-up.

  7. Baby’s front torso with area on breastbone just below nipple line highlighted.

    Give chest thrusts just below the nipple line.

  8. Adult holding baby face-up on forearm, with heel of hand pushing just below nipple line.

    Use the heel of your hand to give 5 chest thrusts.

  9. Object flying out of baby’s open mouth.

    Repeat these steps until the object pops out.

Content provided by WebMD Ignite (“WebMD”) is intended for general, informational and educational purposes only and should not be relied on solely for clinical decisions. WebMD makes reasonable efforts to ensure the accuracy, reliability of our Content, however; users understand that information contained in the Content may become outdated or incomplete due to new research, findings or clinical guidelines. It does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. WebMD does not guarantee that all content will always be current, error-free or complete.