Baby Choking First Aid: A Guide for Caregivers

First, look and listen for air movement. A baby who is crying or coughing forcefully is moving air. Stay close, let them cough, and watch for any change. Do not start back blows or chest thrusts while the cough is effective.

Severe choking looks different. A baby may be unable to cry, breathe, or cough effectively. Their cough may be weak or silent, they may struggle to breathe, or their skin color may change. If the baby cannot breathe, get emergency help immediately and follow the dispatcher’s instructions. If another person is there, ask them to call while you begin the infant choking response.

These steps apply to infants under 1 year old. Guidance for older children is different, which is one reason we encourage everyone who cares for your baby to take age-specific training. You can review the American Red Cross choking first-aid guidance and the American Heart Association first-aid guidelines alongside your course materials.

For a conscious infant with severe choking, give five firm back blows between the shoulder blades. Support your baby face-down along your forearm or thigh, with the head lower than the chest. Support the head and jaw without covering the mouth or nose.

Turn your baby face-up while supporting the head and keeping it lower than the chest. Give five chest thrusts at the center of the chest using two fingers, as taught in infant first-aid training. Alternate five back blows and five chest thrusts until the object comes out or your baby becomes unresponsive. If you are alone, follow your current training and the emergency dispatcher’s instructions about when to call.

Do not use abdominal thrusts on an infant. Never sweep a finger blindly through your baby’s mouth. Remove an object only if you can see it and reach it safely.

If your baby becomes unresponsive, place them on a firm, flat surface. Call emergency services if no one has called, and begin infant CPR according to your current training and the dispatcher’s instructions. Do not delay CPR to search blindly for an object.

Prepare food in a form appropriate for your baby’s age and development. Have your baby eat upright, supervise every meal and snack, and keep small objects out of reach—including items that could end up on the floor.

If your baby repeatedly coughs or gags during feeds or seems to have trouble swallowing, speak with their pediatrician. Seek urgent help for breathing difficulty rather than waiting for a routine appointment.

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Our Baby Choking First Aid Made Simple infant safety ebook is a reading resource for parents and caregivers who want to revisit the basics. Pair it with a hands-on infant first-aid and CPR course, and refresh your skills regularly. In an emergency, call for help and follow your training and the dispatcher—not an ebook.

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