Step 1: Assess the situation quickly.
If a baby is suddenly unable to cry or cough, something is probably blocking her airway, Bls Cpr Certification Classes Near Me and you’ll need to help her get it out. She may make odd noises or no sound at all while opening her mouth. Her skin may turn red or blue.
If she’s coughing or gagging, it means her airway is only partially blocked. If that’s the case, let her continue to cough. Coughing is the most effective way to dislodge a blockage.
If the baby isn’t able to cough up the object, ask someone to call 911 or the local emergency number while you begin back blows and chest thrusts (see step 2, below).
On the other hand, if you suspect that the baby’s airway is closed because her throat has swollen shut, call immediately. She may be having an allergic reaction – to food or to an insect bite, for example – or she may have an illness, such as croup.
Step 2: Try to dislodge the object with back blows and chest thrusts.
If a baby is conscious but can’t cough, cry, or breathe and you believe something is trapped in his airway, carefully position him face-up on one forearm, cradling the back of his head with that hand.
Place the other hand and forearm on his front. He is now sandwiched between your forearms.
Use your thumb and fingers to hold his jaw and turn him over so that he’s facedown along your forearm. Lower your arm onto your thigh so that the baby’s head is lower than his chest.
Using the heel of your hand, deliver five firm and distinct back blows between the baby’s shoulder blades to try to dislodge the object. Maintain support of his head and neck by firmly holding his jaw between your thumb and forefinger.
If the object does not come out, place your free hand (the one that had been delivering the back blows) on the back of the baby’s head with your arm along his spine. Carefully turn him over while keeping your other hand and forearm on his front.
Then do chest thrusts
Use your thumb and fingers to hold the baby’s jaw while sandwiching him between your forearms to support his head and neck. Lower your arm that is supporting his back onto your thigh, still keeping the baby’s head lower than the rest of his body.
Place the pads of two or three fingers in the center of the baby’s chest, just below an imaginary line running between his nipples. To do a chest thrust, push straight down on the chest about 1 1/2 inches. Then allow the chest to come back to its normal position.
Repeat back blows and chest thrusts
Continue alternating five back blows and five chest thrusts until the object is forced out or the baby starts to cough forcefully, cry, breathe or becomes unresponsive. If he’s coughing, let him try to cough up the object.
If the baby becomes unresponsive
If a baby who is choking on something becomes unconscious, lower the baby to the ground and start CPR (see below). After each set of compressions and before attempting rescue breaths, open the baby’s mouth, look for the blockage and remove it if you can.
What is CPR?
CPR stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. This is the lifesaving measure you can take to save a baby who shows no signs of life, meaning he is unconscious and not breathing.
CPR uses chest compressions and rescue breaths to make oxygen-rich blood circulate through the brain and other vital organs until the child revives or emergency medical personnel arrive. Keeping oxygenated blood circulating helps prevent brain damage – which can occur within a few minutes – and death.
Step 1: Verify that the infant is unresponsive and not breathing.
Shout to get the infant’s attention, using her name. If she doesn’t respond, tap the bottom of her foot and shout again while checking for normal breathing. (Look to see whether her chest is rising, and listen for breathing sounds.)
If the infant doesn’t respond and is not breathing or is gasping, have someone call or the local emergency number. (If you’re alone with the baby, give two minutes of care as described below, then call 911 yourself.)
Swiftly but gently place the baby on her back on a firm, flat surface. Stand or kneel next to her.
Make sure she isn’t bleeding severely. If she is, take measures to stop the bleeding by applying pressure to the area. Don’t administer CPR until the bleeding is under control.
Step 2: Give 30 chest compressions.
Place one hand on the infant’s forehead. Place the pads of two fingers in the center of his chest, just below the nipple line. Compress the chest by pushing straight down about 1 1/2 inches, and then let the chest return to its normal position. Push hard and push fast. Compressions should be smooth, not jerky.
Give compressions at the rate of two per second. Count out loud: “One and two and three and…”, pushing down as you say the number and coming up as you say “and.” (The song Staying Alive has the rhythm you’re shooting for.)
Step 3: Give two rescue breaths.
baby laying with an adult over her, making lip to lip contact, one hand pushing back the forehead and the other hand pushing up the chin
Open the airway by putting one hand on the baby’s forehead and two fingers on his chin and tilting his head back to a neutral position. Make a complete seal over the baby’s nose and mouth with your mouth.
