Baby chokes: what to do?
Your baby chokes, and you immediately feel a sense of panic welling up inside you. This is a logical reaction. When a baby chokes, they may start coughing, gagging, and 'gurgling'. In all cases, it is very distressing to watch, and you want to resolve it as quickly as possible. An important first step is to determine whether the baby is choking or suffocating. Initially, these can look very similar. Snoozzz.com I would be happy to tell you more about choking and suffocation in babies, and of course give you important tips and advice.
Why does your baby choke?
One baby chokes regularly, while another hardly ever experiences it. This varies from baby to baby. In most cases, a baby chokes because they still need to get used to swallowing. Is your baby a little older? Then your baby may sometimes choke easily on a piece of fruit or other less finely ground food, because they do not yet know when food is sufficiently chewed to be swallowed.
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The baby chokes on unground food.
When you switch from finely ground food to food that needs to be chewed, it means your baby has to get used to new textures in their mouth. Your baby may focus on this so much that they choke. This simply happens because the food is not yet sufficiently chewed to be swallowed properly. A first reaction might be to switch back to finely ground food. Do not do this. It is important that your baby learns to chew. If you want to help your baby, make sure you give small pieces of food and take your time feeding them. Eating calmly and in a relaxed manner also helps your baby take the time to chew their food properly.
What should you do if your baby chokes?
If your baby chokes, they will often start coughing and spluttering. Your baby may also gag or make a gurgling sound. In many cases, the coughing and spluttering already resolve the situation. In this instance, your baby resolves the choking themselves, just as adults do. Is it a more serious choking incident that your baby cannot resolve on their own? Then follow the following step-by-step plan:
- Lay your baby on their stomach on your forearm
- Ensure that the torso is higher than the head
- Rest your baby's jaw on your hand
- Use the heel of your hand to strike between the shoulder blades.
- Check after each blow whether the choking has resolved.
- Do a maximum of 5 of these strokes on the back.
If these 5 strokes do not help, then do the following:
- Turn your baby over so that they are lying on their back on your forearm.
- Ensure that the torso is higher than the head
- Let your baby's head rest in your hand
- Place 2 fingers in the middle of the chest
- Push firmly on your baby's chest up to 5 times.
What if this step-by-step plan doesn't help?
In serious situations, the above step-by-step plan is not sufficient to solve the problem. When this is the case, it is important to call 112.Place your baby on their back on the floor and continue to touch them by tickling their feet and hands and blowing on their face. Wait until the emergency services arrive. Does the dispatcher tell you to start CPR? Then do so. Never do this without instructions. Also very important: do not shake your baby!
My baby swallows a lot: what does that mean?
There are babies who choke more often than average, but there are also babies who simply swallow more often than average. If you notice that your baby swallows very often, this may be related to reflux. The fact is that reflux causes the baby to constantly feel the need to swallow back up food or drink. You can use a reflux pillow to find out if this solves the problem. Is your baby still swallowing a lot? Then it is wise to take your baby to the GP.
My baby seems to be choking: what now?
It can be difficult to tell if your baby is choking or suffocating. If your baby appears to be choking, they may be choking. It is not easy, but it is important to wait a few seconds before taking action. In many cases, your baby can resolve the problem themselves if they appear to be choking. If this is not possible, pay attention to the following signs that indicate suffocation:
- The baby loses consciousness
- Your baby is going to see blue or red
- You see panic in your baby's eyes.
- The breathing sounds wheezing or 'choking'.
- Your baby stops coughing
As long as your baby is coughing and spluttering, there is no immediate suffocation. Air can still pass through the windpipe. Take immediate action if you observe any of the above. You can start with the step-by-step plan we described earlier. If that does not work, call 112 and follow the operator's instructions.
When can a baby suffocate?
Primarily, a baby can choke on food that is swallowed before it has been sufficiently chewed. The baby can also choke on small objects that it puts in its mouth. Can a baby choke on a stuffy nose or a common cold? This is a question we hear often. In the first few months, your baby breathes exclusively through the nose. The baby does not yet know that the solution is to breathe through the mouth. This can certainly cause the baby to sound congested during a common cold. However, choking on mucus or snot rarely occurs. Can a baby choke on their own vomit? This question also comes up frequently. When it seems as though your baby is choking on their own vomit, it is important to lay your baby on their stomach and pat their back. Does this happen relatively often? Then it is wise to visit the GP. Do be careful with sleeping on the stomach in babies. Be careful with this.
If in doubt, always consult the GP.
Choking and suffocation. In both cases, you are dealing with a situation that you, as a parent, do not want to see your baby experience. Are you worried or unsure whether certain symptoms are normal? Then always visit a GP. It is better to see the doctor too often than not often enough. It is common for symptoms of choking and suffocation to be caused by reflux. You can order a handy pillow from us that reduces or eliminates reflux symptoms, depending on your baby. Would you like more information or advice? Please feel free to contact us. contact join us.
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