Choking First Aid for Infants

May 3, 2022

last updated Jan 1, 2026 to include new choking first aid guidelines– Choking is a common cause of injury and death in children. While this sounds scary, the good news is that choking is usually preventable. By learning choking first aid for infants and how to reduce risks, parents and caregivers can respond quickly and confidently if it ever happens. You can also learn more first aid skills before baby arrives here.

Choking First Aid for Infants: How to Recognize Choking

Recognizing choking is critical: if your baby is coughing or gagging, this is the body’s natural reflex to clear a partial blockage, and you should encourage them to keep coughing as long as they are making noise and breathing.

However, if your baby is unable to breathe, cry, or make any sound or if their skin begins turning blue, it may indicate a total airway obstruction. This is a medical emergency requiring immediate action. Be prepared to help baby by reviewing the steps below to understand choking first aid and call 911.

NEW GUIDELINES via the AHA and RED CROSS AS OF OCT 2026: What To Do If a Baby Is Choking

reprint via The American Red Cross

Choking is especially common in young children, but a person of any age can choke. Choking occurs when the airway becomes either partially or completely blocked by a foreign object, such as a piece of food or a small toy; by swelling in the mouth or throat; or by fluids, such as vomit or blood. A person who is choking can quickly become unresponsive and die, so it is important to act quickly.

Children younger than 5 years are at particularly high risk for choking. Infants and toddlers explore by putting things in their mouths and can easily choke on them. Even some common foods can be choking hazards in young children.

Saving a Choking Baby

1. Position infant face-down along your forearm using your thigh for support.
   • Keep the infant’s head lower than their body.
2. Give 5 firm back blows.
   • Use the heel of the hand to strike between the shoulder blades.
3. Turn infant face-up with their head lower than their body.
4. Give 5 quick chest thrusts.
   • Chests thrusts should be about 1 ½ inches deep.
5. Continue giving 5 back blows and 5 chest thrusts.
   • Continue until the infant can cough or cry or becomes unresponsive.
6. If the infant becomes unresponsive, lower them to a firm, flat surface and begin CPR (starting with compressions) according to your level of training.
   • Trained responders: After each set of compressions and before attempting breaths:
   • Open the infant’s mouth.
   • Look for an object.
   • If seen, remove it using your pinky. NEVER do a pinky sweep unless you actually see the object.

Learn Infant CPR: CPR is a lifesaving procedure that involves rescue breathing (giving oxygen to the lungs) and chest compressions (which keep the blood flowing.) Although there are many Infant CPR infographics and video demonstrations online, there is no substitute for becoming CPR certified. Please visit the Red Cross website to find CPR classes near you. 

Many of the skills above are taught in certification classes offered through the American Heart Association, Red Cross or your local hospital.

Remember in an emergency it is always appropriate to call 911 for assistance.

Preventing Choking in Infants

Parents and caregivers can help reduce choking risk by making safe choices every day:

1. Bottle feeding safely
   • Always hold your baby during feeds—never prop a bottle with pillows or devices.
   • Make sure the nipple flow is correct for your baby’s age; too fast a flow can overwhelm them.
2. Choosing developmentally appropriate foods
   • Wait until your baby shows signs of readiness (usually around 6 months) before introducing solids.
   • Offer smooth, soft foods when starting solids. Avoid round, hard, or sticky foods such as hot dogs, grapes, popcorn, raw vegetables, nuts, and chunks of cheese until at least age 4.
   • Cut food into very small pieces—no larger than half an inch—once finger foods are appropriate.
3. Creating a safe environment
   • Keep coins, buttons, small toys, batteries, and other objects that could fit through a toilet paper roll out of reach.
   • Get down on the floor at baby’s level to spot choking hazards you might otherwise miss.

Key Takeaway

Choking is a leading cause of injury in infants, but it doesn’t have to be. Parents and caregivers can prevent most choking incidents by supervising feeds, offering age-appropriate foods, keeping small objects out of reach, and knowing what to do in an emergency. Learning Infant CPR and First Aid before your baby arrives is one of the best ways to keep your child safe.

Read our Essential Guide: How To Prepare Your Home for a Newborn for more safety guidelines and tips.