Infant Choking: What to Do First and Next

If your baby is coughing forcefully, crying, or making sounds, air is still moving; let them keep coughing, watch them closely, and do not put your fingers in their mouth to search for an object. If they cannot cry or cough, make little or no sound, or struggle to breathe, treat it as a severe choking emergency and have someone call 911 while you begin infant choking first aid.

For an infant under 1 year old, place them face down along your forearm, support their head and jaw without pressing on the throat, and keep their head lower than their chest. Using the heel of your hand, deliver five firm blows between the shoulder blades, checking whether the object comes out or the baby begins breathing after each blow.

If the infant is still choking, turn them face up while supporting their head and keeping it lower than their chest, then give five quick chest thrusts with two fingers in the center of the chest, just below the nipple line. Continue alternating five back blows and five chest thrusts until the object comes out, the infant can breathe, or the infant becomes unresponsive; do not use abdominal thrusts on a baby under 1.

Place the infant on a firm, flat surface, call 911 if no one has done so, and begin infant CPR, following the dispatcher’s instructions if you need guidance. Before giving breaths, remove an object only if you can see it clearly—never make a blind finger sweep—and continue care until emergency responders take over or the infant responds.

Our Baby Choking First Aid Made Simple – Infant Safety Ebook for Parents & Caregivers is a resource for learning the basics before an emergency. You can also read our baby choking first aid guide for caregivers; our team encourages you to take a hands-on infant CPR and choking-response course so you can practice these skills.