How to Give First Aid to a Choking Infant
The Heimlich maneuver has been taught for years now to treat those who are choking or appear to have an obstructed airway. Although this procedure is very helpful for those over the age of one, it can actually harm an infant. Parents and caregivers, for this reason, need to know what to do when a child under the age of one is choking.
Due to the small size of infants, using the Heimlich maneuver can do more damage than good. Here is what needs to be done when an infant has a blocked airway"
- Sit in a chair or assume a seated position in any way you can. Take your forearm and rest it on your thigh. Hold the infant in a face-down position on your forearm.
- Gently thump the infant on the middle of the back five times. Use the heel of your hand to do this and ensure the thumps are firm, but gentle. These back blows, along with gravity, will often release the object which is blocking the airway.
- If the item remains lodged, turn the child to a face-up position on the forearm. Ensure the head is lower than the trunk. Take two fingers and place them at the center of the breastbone. Perform five rapid chest compressions.
- Repeat the above step if the item does not become dislodged. Once it does, breathing should resume. If breathing does not appear to be normal or the airway remains blocked, call for emergency help immediately.
- If the item does dislodge from the airway, but the child does not resume breathing, infant CPR must be started until medical assistance arrives.