If a baby is coughing forcefully, let them try to clear the object themselves. If they can't cry, cough, or breathe, start back blows and chest thrusts for infants, or abdominal thrusts for older children. Call 911 immediately. Every second matters in a choking emergency.
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The technique for clearing an airway obstruction, but it's different for infants. For babies under 1, you alternate 5 back blows and 5 chest thrusts. For children over 1, use abdominal thrusts like the adult version but with less force. If the child goes unconscious, start CPR.
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation for infants and children differs from adult CPR. For babies, you use two fingers on the breastbone instead of full hands, and gentle rescue breaths covering both the nose and mouth. Every parent and caregiver should take an infant CPR class before the baby arrives.
Any small object, food, or toy part that can block a child's airway. Kids under 3 are at the highest risk because they explore everything by putting it in their mouths. A quick rule of thumb: if it fits through a toilet paper roll, it's a choking hazard.