One of the biggest fears parents carry is not knowing what to do in an emergency — especially when their infant is the one in danger. Choking is one of those scenarios that can escalate in seconds. The good news is that the response is learnable, and once you know it, you'll carry that confidence with you everywhere.
Watch the video below for a full walkthrough, then read through the step-by-step breakdown below.
First: Don't Jump In Too Early
If your infant is gagging or coughing, hold back — even though every instinct tells you to do something. Gagging and coughing means their airway is still partially open, and their body is doing exactly what it's supposed to do. Let them try to work it out on their own.
⚠️ Important
Jumping in too early can actually make things worse. An infant actively coughing or gagging does not need intervention yet. Watch and wait.
How to Recognize True Choking
What you're watching for is a change. True choking looks very different from gagging. Here's what to look for:
- Sudden silence — they stop crying and stop coughing
- No airflow — they are not breathing
- Weak or high-pitched wheeze — or complete silence
- Face turning red
- Blue color around the lips and mouth — a sign of oxygen deprivation
That silence is your signal. When your infant goes quiet and stops breathing, act immediately.
🚨 The Key Signal
Silence means they're not moving air. If your infant suddenly stops crying and stops coughing, that is your cue to intervene — do not wait.
The Step-By-Step Response
Position the Infant Face Down on Your Forearm
Hold the infant face down along your forearm with their head lower than their chest. Support the head and neck firmly — but make sure you're not blocking their mouth.
Deliver 5 Firm Back Blows
Using the heel of your hand, give 5 firm back blows between the shoulder blades. These need to have force behind them — firm, deliberate strikes, not gentle pats.
Roll Baby Over and Deliver 5 Chest Thrusts
After the fifth back blow, support the baby's head and neck and roll them over onto your other forearm, face up. Using the meaty portion of two fingers, deliver 5 quick chest thrusts right at the nipple line.
Repeat Until the Object Is Out or Baby Becomes Unconscious
Continue alternating — 5 back blows, 5 chest thrusts — until one of two things happens: the object is dislodged and the baby can breathe, or the baby becomes unconscious.
If Baby Becomes Unconscious: Call 911 and Start Infant CPR
If the baby loses consciousness, call 911 immediately. Place the baby on a firm, flat surface and begin infant CPR. This is a critical moment — do not hesitate.
💡 From the Field
The most common mistake parents make is either waiting too long to act or not using enough force on the back blows. The back blows need to be firm. You will not hurt your baby — you are trying to save their life.
Practice Makes the Difference
Watching a video and reading a guide are great first steps — but muscle memory is built through hands-on practice. In a real emergency, panic sets in fast. The parents who respond well are the ones who have physically gone through the motions, even once, in a calm environment.
Our Heartsaver CPR & First Aid course covers infant choking relief, infant CPR, and pediatric first aid in full — taught hands-on at your location by an active firefighter and EMT. It's one of the most practical things you can do for your family's safety.