Emergency

Choking (Baby Under 1)

For a choking baby, give up to 5 back blows then up to 5 chest thrusts (never abdominal thrusts), and call 999 if it does not clear.

When to call 999. Call 999 immediately if you cannot clear the blockage after the first cycle, or shout for someone to call while you start. If the baby becomes unresponsive and is not breathing normally, start infant CPR.

Written by Meds Global Health Clinical Team · Clinically reviewed by Dr Muhammad Suffyan, MB BS, Founder & Clinical Director · Last reviewed · How we review

What to do

  1. Lay the baby face down along your forearm or thigh, supporting the head, with the head lower than the bottom.
  2. Give up to 5 back blows between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand.
  3. Turn the baby face up, still supporting the head. Check the mouth and pick out any obvious object — do not do a blind finger sweep.
  4. If back blows do not work, give up to 5 chest thrusts: place two fingers in the centre of the chest on the breastbone and push sharply inwards.
  5. Repeat cycles of 5 back blows and 5 chest thrusts, calling 999 if it does not clear.
  6. If the baby becomes unresponsive and is not breathing normally, start infant CPR.

Avoid

What not to do

Never give abdominal thrusts to a baby under 1 year — use chest thrusts instead, as abdominal thrusts can seriously injure a baby. Do not shake the baby or do blind finger sweeps.

Afterwards and while you wait

Have the baby checked by a doctor after any serious choking episode, especially if chest thrusts were used. Watch for ongoing coughing, breathing difficulty, drooling or refusal to feed, and seek help if these occur.

Education and reference only. This is general first-aid information aligned with UK guidance, not a substitute for a hands-on first-aid course or professional emergency care. In a life-threatening emergency, call 999 straight away.

Answers

Choking (Baby Under 1): frequently asked questions

Why not use abdominal thrusts on a baby?

A baby’s organs are easily injured, so abdominal thrusts are not safe. Back blows and gentle chest thrusts are used instead to clear the blockage.

How hard should I push?

Firmly enough to be effective but appropriate to a small baby. Chest thrusts use two fingers on the breastbone, pushing sharply. A first-aid course lets you practise the right technique.

Related

Other emergency first aid

Choking (Adult or Child)If someone is choking and cannot speak, cough or breathe, give firm back blows then abdomi…CPR (Unresponsive, Not Breathing)If someone is unresponsive and not breathing normally, call 999, start chest compressions …Recovery PositionIf someone is unresponsive but breathing normally, place them on their side in the recover…Severe BleedingFor severe bleeding, apply firm, direct pressure to the wound, call 999, and keep pressing…Anaphylaxis (Severe Allergic Reaction)For a severe allergic reaction, use an adrenaline auto-injector (such as an EpiPen) into t…Heart AttackIf you suspect a heart attack, call 999 immediately, help the person sit down and rest, an…

Sources

Where this is drawn from

  • NHS — first aid
  • Resuscitation Council UK
  • St John Ambulance / British Red Cross first-aid guidance

Building first-aid or patient-safety content?

We create clear, accurate, referenced medical explainers, first-aid guides and decision aids for teams and learners.

Talk to us ☎ +44 7448 439750
☎ Call Get a Proposal