Infant CPR: How to treat a choking infant with CPR

No one wants to be in the situation of having to save an infant’s life, but it could happen. Infants choke, usually caused by breathing in a small object they accidentally placed in their mouth, such as a coin, small toys, and buttons. Anyone with a baby or who works with them should know the risk of complete airway obstruction and be prepared for any health emergency, even if you never have to use it. Thus, learning how to perform infant CPR is necessary.

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What can a baby choke on?

Infants choke on things like curdled milk or vomit. As they grow into a toddler, they explore by putting things into their mouth, which can quickly get stuck in their throat. This may stop them from normal breathing, resulting to complete airway obstruction. Sometimes, these objects can get into the trachea and may cause severe airway obstruction. If a foreign body blocks the airflow and the brain is deprived of oxygen, choking becomes a life-threatening emergency.

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Signs of Infant Choking

• Inability to cry or make much sound
• Weak, ineffective coughing
• Soft or high-pitched sounds while inhaling
• Difficulty breathing
• Bluish skin color
• Grabbing their throat or waving arms
• Loss of consciousness if the blockage is not cleared

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How to treat an Infant Choking?

Abdominal thrusts and blind finger sweeps are not recommended for infants because they may damage their liver. Instead, here are ways how to treat choking victims:

1. Assess the situation quickly

The airway is only partially blocked if an infant is coughing or gagging. Let the infant continue coughing because coughing is the most effective way to dislodge a foreign body airway obstruction. However, if an infant cannot cry or cough, you’ll need to help her get it out.

2. Call 911

Call the local emergency number if the infant isn’t able to cough up the object. If you’re alone with an infant, give two minutes of medical care, then call 911. If you’re with someone, ask them to call 911 while you begin back blows and chest thrusts.

3. Dislodge the obstruction with back blows and chest thrusts

If an infant is conscious but can’t cough, cry, or breathe, perform back blows by positioning the infant face-up on one forearm, cradling the back of his head with that hand.

1. Sandwiched the baby between your forearms by placing your other hand and forearm on his front.
2. Then use your thumb and fingers to hold his jaw and turn him over so he’s facedown along your forearm. Again, the head must be lower than his chest.
3. Deliver five firm and distinct back blows to try to dislodge the object. If the thing does not come out, then do chest thrusts.

To do a chest thrust:

1. Place the pads of two or three fingers in the center of the infant’s chest, between the nipples.
2. Push down on the chest about 1 1/2 inches.
3. Allow the infant’s chest to come back to its normal position.
4. Do five chest thrusts smoothly.

Repeat doing five back blows and five chest thrusts until the obstruction is removed or when the infant starts to cough forcefully, breathe or become unresponsive.

What to do if an infant becomes unresponsive?

If a choking infant becomes unconscious, lay the victim on a flat surface and start Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). The 911 operator or emergency medical personnel instruct you to do CPR over the phone until they arrive.

The goal of infant cpr choking isn’t necessarily to bring the infant back to consciousness. Instead, it will keep the blood and oxygen circulating in their vital organs and brain. CPR includes 30 chest compressions and 2 rescue breaths or effective ventilations. To do this:

1. Place two fingers on the infant’s breastbone.
2. Next, compresses the infant’s chest about one-third at a rate of around 100 to 120 compressions per minute.
3. Tilt the infant’s head and lift the chin to open the airway to give rescue breathing.
4. Give two effective ventilations by making a seal around the infant’s mouth and nose. Then, blow each breath in for one full second and watch for chest rise.
5. Continue the steps until the infant revives or when the emergency medical services team arrives.

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When giving first aid to an infant choking, Never put your finger in their mouth unless you see a blockage. If you don't see it and put your finger in an infant’s mouth, you might accidentally push the blockage deeper into their throat.

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How to Prevent Choking on Infants?‍

Choking, suffocation, and strangulation are significant causes of unintentional injury and death in infants and toddlers. However, nearly all such incidents are preventable with proper precautions and education. Here are several key strategies to prevent choking in infants:

• Supervision: Always closely supervise infants during feeding and playtime. Ensure they are seated upright while eating and never leave them unattended while they have access to small objects or food.
• Appropriate Food Preparation: Offer age-appropriate foods that are cut into small, manageable pieces. Avoid foods that are known choking hazards, such as whole grapes, nuts, popcorn, and hard candies.
• Safe Environment: Create a safe environment by keeping small objects, toys with small parts, and other potential choking hazards out of reach. Regularly inspect the floor and accessible areas for objects that an infant might put in their mouth.
• Safe Sleep Practices: Follow safe sleep guidelines to prevent suffocation. Ensure the infant sleeps on their back on a firm mattress without soft bedding, pillows, or stuffed animals.
• Product Safety: Use products designed with safety in mind. Ensure that toys and other infant products meet safety standards to prevent choking and strangulation risks. Avoid using items with long cords or strings that causes strangulation.
• Education and Training: Paediatric health care providers should educate parents and caregivers about the risks of choking and suffocation. They should provide anticipatory, age-appropriate guidance during regular health visits. Encouraging parents and caregivers to learn CPR and choking first aid is crucial. This training makes a significant difference in emergencies, ensuring caregivers know how to respond promptly and effectively.

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Infant CPR Choking Class

Infant CPR certification courses equip you with the knowledge necessary to recognize and care for choking, cardiac arrest, and other emergencies involving children and infants. You’ll also learn to recognize the difference between gasping and normal breathing and adequately use an AED. Whether you need to refresh your lifesaving skills or know from scratch, it’s easier than ever to find a baby cpr classes online. Institutions like the American Red Cross, American Heart Association, and other CPR training providers offer easy-to-take online CPR courses, an automated external defibrillator (AED), and basic first aid.

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Why is Infant Choking CPR Included in Infant CPR Certification Courses?

Infant choking CPR is included in infant CPR certification courses because choking is a common and potentially life-threatening emergency that infants face. The anatomy of infants, particularly their small airways, makes them especially susceptible to choking on small objects, food, or even mucus. Including infant choking CPR in these courses equips caregivers, parents, and healthcare providers with the critical skills needed to respond effectively. The training ensures that they recognize the signs of choking, perform interventions to clear the airway, and, if necessary, use CPR techniques adapted for infants. This comprehensive approach increases the chances of successfully managing these emergencies and save lives.

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How Can Obtaining an Infant CPR Certification Help You Manage Choking Emergencies?

Obtaining an infant CPR certification significantly help in managing choking emergencies through several key aspects:

1. Skill Development: The certification teaches specific skills needed to perform CPR and relieve choking in infants, including the correct way to administer back slaps and chest thrusts, which are different from those used on adults.
2. Confidence Building: Being trained and certified provides the confidence to act quickly and effectively in a choking emergency. Knowing the correct procedures reduces hesitation and increases the likelihood of taking the right steps under stress.
3. Preparedness: Certification courses often include practical exercises that simulate real-life scenarios, preparing individuals to handle emergencies calmly and efficiently.
4. Awareness: These courses also raise awareness about common choking hazards and preventive measures, which  help caregivers create safer environments for infants.

Together, these elements foster a prepared and knowledgeable approach to managing infant choking emergencies, making infant CPR certification invaluable for anyone responsible for the care of infants.

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Sources:

Maconochie IK, Bingham R. Paediatric resuscitation. BMJ. 2014 Apr 8;348:g1732. doi: 10.1136/bmj.g1732. PMID: 24714205.

Cyr C; Canadian Paediatric Society, Injury Prevention Committee. Preventing choking and suffocation in children. Paediatr Child Health. 2012 Feb;17(2):91-4. doi: 10.1093/pch/17.2.91. PMID: 23372401; PMCID: PMC3299355.