If your baby is unable to breathe, cry or cough something maybe blocking baby’s airway and you will need to help your baby get it out.

Assess the situation fast, check baby’s mouth and remove any obvious obstructions.

If the baby is coughing or gagging the airway is only partially blocked, let baby continue to cough to dislodge a blockage.

Back blows and chest thrusts

Carefully position your baby face down with their chest and tummy on your forearm, your hand supporting their head and neck. Rest the arm holding your baby on your thigh for support.

Hold your baby so that their head is lower than the rest of their body, using the heel of your hand, give baby five firm back blows between their shoulder blades to try and dislodge the object. The combined gravity and back slaps should release the blocking object.

If your baby is still unable to breathe, turn them onto their back and give five chest thrusts.

Support your baby’s face with your forearm resting on your thigh, still keeping baby’s head lower than the rest of their body. Use two finger tips to push inward, just below the imaginary line running between your baby’s nipples. To give a chest thrust, push straight down on the chest ½ to 1 inch, then allow chest to come back to normal position. Check baby’s mouth after each thrust and remove any obstruction.

Continue the sequence of five back blows and five chest thrusts until the object is forced out, your baby starts to cough or medical help arrives.