Resuscitation and Choking
Choking
Children, particularly those aged from 1 to 5, often put objects in their mouths. This is a normal part of how they explore the world. Some small objects, such as marbles, beads and button batteries, are just the right size to get stuck in a child's airway and cause choking. The best way to avoid this is to make sure that small objects like these are kept out of your child's reach.
No matter how careful you are, your child may choke on something. In most cases, you or someone else will see your child swallow the object that causes choking. There can be other reasons why your child starts coughing. But if your child suddenly starts coughing, isn't ill and has a habit of putting small objects in their mouth, there's a good chance that they're choking.
- If you can see the object try to remove it. It you can't don't blindly use your fingers or another object to find the hazard.
- Keep yourself refreshed on the appropriate method of back-slapping, tummy thrusts and resuscitation for the age of your child.
Useful Links
The NHS website advises on how to stop a child from choking.
The St John's Ambulance website has a handy guide on signs that your baby or child might be choking and what to do.
The British Red Cross website offers guidance to learn first aid for a child choking.
Resuscitation
If your baby or child is not breathing you must get someone to call 999. This is a life-threatening situation.
You should consider being prepared for emergency situations by taking a course or learning the skills to react.
Useful links
The NHS website has guidance on how to resuscitate your child.
The British Heart Foundation guides you on how to do CPR on a child or baby.