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Choking

Choking is caused by a foreign object becomming trapped in our airways. As a parent I know whenever I see my child starting to choke my immediate reaction is panic!! This is obviously not the right thing to do so hopefully this article will help you to deal with a choking situation in a calm manner.

Most choking accidents happen in the first year of your child's life. Babies try to put everything and anything in their mouths so be extra cautious when leaving objects around the house. Babies should never be left unattended when eating and drinking. When trying to remove a choking object from your baby or child's mouth only remove it if you can see it, don't go digging around for it as you might push it further down.

Sine I originally wrote this article I have been contacted by a number of people asking me to highlight a choking hazard that has cost the lives of 3 young children in the UK. Chocolate eggs with a surprise toy inside are a significant choking hazard for young children. The toys are encased in a capsule inside the egg, the toys and capsule smell of chocolate and are easily mistaken for food by young children. These products have been banned in the States but are still widely available in the UK.

Treating a choking baby
If your baby is choking and is unable to clear the offending object then perform the following procedures -

• Lay your baby along the length of your arm face down supporting their chin between your fingers
• Firmly slap the middle of the back with the heel of your hand 5 times
• Pick out the offending obstruction from your baby's mouth

if this fails then try the following -

• Lay your baby along your arm as before but this time facing you
• Place two fingers on the breastbone below the nipple line and carefully thrust inward and forward 5 times
• Pick out the offending obstruction from your baby's mouth

If repeating the above procedures 3 times does not work then take your baby with you to call an ambulance.

Treating a choking child
A child can be encouraged to remove the blockage themselves by coughing but if this fails and your child starts to show signs of distress then perform the following procedures -

• Lean the child forward at the waist supporting them with one arm
• Use the heel of your other hand to give 5 sharp slaps between the child's shoulder blades
• Pick out the offending obstruction from your child's mouth

if this fails then try the following -

• Put your arms around your child creating a fist against the lower breatsbone
• Grab the fist with your other hand and pull inwards and upwards 5 times
• Repeat this procedure 5 times
• Pick out the offending obstruction from your child's mouth

if this fails then try the following -

• Put your arms around your child creating a fist against the upper abdomen
• Grab the fist with your other hand and pull inwards and upwards 5 times
• Pick out the offending obstruction from your child's mouth

If you are still unable to stop the choking then call an ambulance and continue with the procedures whilst you wait for help to arrive.

NOTE: The health section of Parenting.co.uk is not to be used as a substitute for your GP; if your child is ill then seek the advice of a qualified doctor or other health professional without delay.

Your Views

Posted by: Jemima Wishart Posts: 1 From: Aberdeen Aberdeenshire		Choking Choking is a terrifying experience for both child and parent. Advice on action is, of course, of paramount importance. However parents should be aware that there is a product - openly available in every grocery outlet, newsagent, supermarket, petrol station - that is a significant - but unreported - choking hazard to our childrenm. Parents, just be warned. The product is a 'surprise' chocolate egg. The DTI advisers have found that the safety warnings (incidentally the only ones carried on any confectionery on sale in the UK) are frequently illegible as the foil outer is creased when wrapped round the chocolate egg. These products have resulted in the death of a number of children (3 in the UK) and a terrifying experience of choking in many, many others - happily saved from greater trauma by the intervention of an adult. Doctors, safety and consumer organisation throughout Europe would like to see such products banned but, sadly, legislators are not heeding this advice. So please just be warned - a little treat can cause death.

	Posted: 30/Aug/07 at 13:47:03

Posted by: ArchieFergus Posts: 1 From: Dover Kent		Replies I gather that there have been hundreds of choking incidents around Europe because children smell the chocolate on the toy parts and pop them into their mouths. Isn't it extraordinary that Mattel was responsible enough to withdraw its products because of only the possibility that they might cause harm, yet Kinder Surprise - which has killed children - stays on the shelves and the manufacturer, retailers and Government turn a blind eye?

	Posted: 04/Sep/07 at 11:45:19

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