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.

What to look for
A choking baby may:

• be unable to breathe, cry, or cough
• have a red puffy face
• 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.

What to do
If you think the 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 throat.

This page on The St John's Ambulance website gives step by step advice with pictures on what to do if your baby is choking, and when to call for help.

When a child is choking, their airway is partly or completely blocked, meaning that they may be unable to breathe properly. They might be able to clear it by coughing, but if they can't, you will need to help them straight away.

Signs and symptoms
Look for:

• difficulty breathing, speaking or coughing
• a red puffy face
• signs of distress and they may point to their throat or grasp their neck.

What to do
If you think a child is choking, ask them ‘Are you choking?'.

If they can breathe, speak, or cough then they might be able to clear their own throat. If they cannot breathe, cough, or make any noise, then they need your help straight away.

This page on The St John's Ambulance website gives step by step advice with pictures on what to do if a child is choking, and when to call for help.

The Child Accident Prevention Trust have good information and advice on how to reduce the risk of babies and children choking, and what to watch out for at different ages and stages.