As you start weaning your baby, and they become more active, they may be at risk of choking.
When a baby is choking, their airway is partly or completely blocked meaning that they may be unable to breathe properly. As you start weaning your baby and they begin eating solid foods or playing with small objects, they may be at risk of choking.
A choking baby may:
be unable to breathe, cry, or cough
show signs of distress.
If your baby is under one year old, this advice will help you to know what to do if they choke.
If you think a baby is choking, then they need your help straight away. If they can breathe, are making noises, or coughing, then they may be able to clear their own airway.
If a baby cannot breathe, cry, or cough, they may be choking and you will need to give five back blows.
Lay the baby face down along your thigh and support their head
Give up to five back blows between the shoulder blades
If back blows fail to clear the obstruction, give up to five chest thrusts.
Turn the infant onto their back and lay them on your knees or on a firm surface
Place both thumbs on the breastbone one finger’s breadth below the nipple line, with the fingers encircling the baby's chest, and push sharply with a downwards motion. Repeat up to five times.
Call 999 or 112 for emergency help if the obstruction hasn't cleared.
Take the baby with you to make the call.
Keep repeating up to five back blows and up to five chest thrusts until help arrives, or the obstruction is cleared (e.g. the baby starts coughing, loud breathing or crying), or the baby becomes unresponsive. If the baby becomes unresponsive , carry out a Primary Survey (DRABC) assessment and start baby CPR if required.
All babies who have received chest thrusts should be seen in hospital.
As England's first aid charity, we take pride in providing guidance you can trust. We are regulated by the CareQuality commission and provide first aid care for thousands of patients every year. All our advice is regularly checked and updated by our clinical team, led by Dr Lynn Thomas.
When it comes to injury or health concerns, it's important to find information which is accurate and up to date. Some websites or tools like AI search may give you advice based on ideas without strong medical evidence, which could cause harm. They might also suggest older techniques which are no longer used.
Always check a trusted source, such as the NHS website, or call 111 if you're unsure about a course of action.
