Rainbow Health Education

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 Choking:

What is choking?

When someone is choking, they are not able to speak or cough. Coughing is the natural way for people to clear their throats. Do NOT use any of the maneuvers below if your child is still coughing.

If you are concerned about your child's coughing from near-choking, call 911, your emergency number, or our office now.

What to do if your child starts choking:

1) Children can choke if:

  • Food is breathed into the windpipe.
  • Food is lodged in the esophagus, compressing the windpipe from behind.

    • 2) Do NOT stick your finger in your child's mouth because this could cause the object to lodge deeper into her throat.

    Never hit a child or infant on the back attempting to dislodge the foreign body. For any age group use the Heimlich maneuver.

    4) The Heimlich maneuver:

  • Find the bottom of your child's breast bone. It should feel like a point sticking out about 4 inches above the belly button.
  • From behind your child, place one fist with the thumb-side inward between the belly button and the bottom of the breast bone. If your fist is too high, you can break ribs and injure her lungs.
  • Reach around with your other hand and grip your fist.
  • Thrust your fist inward and upward.
  • If your child starts to cough or speak, do NOT repeat the thrust.
  • If your child is still choking,continue to repeat the thrusting maneuver and have someone call 911 now.

    • 5) Even if your child stops choking it is still a good idea to have her checked by a physician. Call our office now.

    Prevention

    Prevent your child from running with anything in her mouth.

    Your child should never lie down while eating.

    You should not leave your baby alone with a propped up bottle.

    Small food pieces that are round, hard, or difficult to chew should not be given to children. These items should never be given to children under age 5:

  • Nuts
  • Hard candies
  • Hot dogs
  • Raw carrots
  • Popcorn
  • Grapes
  • Raisins
  • Small toy parts
  • Coins
  • Jewelry

    • We recommend that you never give these items to your child:

  • Rubber balloons (mylar balloons are less of a choking risk)
  • Buttons
  • Button batteries
  • Nails
  • Screws
  • Safety pins

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