Choking in Children

Medically Reviewed by Sabrina Felson, MD on February 11, 2024
Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors
2 min read
  • Unconscious
  • Not able to breathe because something is blocking the airway or has caused it to close off
  • Wheezing or gasping
  • Not able to cry, talk, or make noise
  • Turning blue in the face
  • Grabbing at the throat
  • Looking panicked

Young children are prone to choking. If the child is coughing and gagging but can breathe and talk, don't do anything. But if they can't breathe, you must act quickly to stop a life-threatening situation.

  • Move the child to the floor and start CPR. Take the object out of their mouth only if you can see it.
  • Hold the child face down on your forearm, supported by your thigh.
  • Keep the child's torso higher than the head.
  • Use the heel of your free hand to thump the child in between the shoulder blades up to five times.
  • Turn the child face up, and keep supporting the head and neck. If the object is not out yet, go to step 4.
  • Place the child on a firm surface, which may still be your forearm.
  • Put two or three fingers in the center of the child's breastbone and push quickly up to five times.
  • Repeat the back thumping and chest pushes until the object comes out or the child loses consciousness.
  • If the child is still not breathing, open the airway by putting your thumb in the child's mouth and grasping the lower incisors or gums. The jaw should lift up so you can look for the object. Do not do a finger sweep.
  • Do not try to pull the object out unless you see it clearly. You could accidentally push the object deeper in the child's throat.
  • If the child loses consciousness, perform CPR and take the object out of their mouth only if you can see it. Never do a finger sweep unless you can see the object in the child's mouth.
  • Stand behind the child and wrap your arms around their waist.
  • Place a fist just above the child's belly button.
  • Hold the fist with your free hand and quickly push in and up.
  • Repeat until the object comes out or the child loses consciousness.
  • If the child loses consciousness, move the child to the floor and start CPR. Take the object out of their mouth only if you can see it. Never do a finger sweep unless you can see the object in the child's mouth.