Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

My toddler was just choking

27 replies

RedCrab · 17/03/2019 16:03

Properly choking - this is not a drill type of proper choking. She went rigid and silent and I had her over my knees and hitting her on her back like you’re supposed. I was counting and when I got to 120 I was going to send my six year old to bang on the neighbours flat to tell them to call an ambulance. Thankfully this huge piece of food flew out of her mouth and she started crying. It felt like forever!

OP posts:
SleepDeprivedCabbageBrain · 17/03/2019 16:04

Oh my God how frightening. Are you ok?

Mydressinggownismybestfriend · 17/03/2019 16:05

I’m so glad she is ok! How terrifying for you and your LO. I think they say still to take them to me checked out after a choking episode.

Original poster
RedCrab · 17/03/2019 16:06

My heart is still pounding and I feel quite teary but ok. I was so calm and now I think the adrenaline has passed. I just had to post to get it out, to tell someone. My husband is out, it’s just me with our three children.

OP posts:

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Families
BlueBuilding · 17/03/2019 16:06

I'll still call that ambulance and have her checked.

MaverickSnoopy · 17/03/2019 16:07

I've been there. It's terrifying. I called and ambulance and as I was on the phone some food came shooting out along with a load of blood. They wanted her to get checked out (because of the blood) and it turned out that it was just a burst blood vessel.

It makes you realise how important it is to stay with them when they're eating. Have a cup of sweet tea for the shock. It's truly awful.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 17/03/2019 16:08

Well done OP - it sounds like you handled it perfectly. Can you get your DH back to give you some TLC and to take the wee one to get checked out?

Original poster
RedCrab · 17/03/2019 16:08

She seems fine? She’s having some yoghurt and water. She was just singing and dancing to Peter Rabbit. My six year old keeps reminding me she can’t choke on yogurt - either to reassure me or to reassure himself, I’m not sure!

OP posts:
Original poster
RedCrab · 17/03/2019 16:09

Ok thanks will do. I didn’t even know you’d need to do that.

OP posts:
TiredTodayZzzz · 17/03/2019 16:09

How scary I hope she is ok, and you and your 6 year old must have been so frightening for you all. My youngest used to cry so hard she would turn purple and go silent and floppy for a few second it used to scare the life out me and my older daughter. I can't even imagine how I would cope in this situation, well done for remaining calm and helping her. I would also go get her checked over for peace of mind.

Mumsymumphy · 17/03/2019 16:42

Wow how scary for you, but you coped perfectly. It's the after effects of adrenaline that will make you jittery now. Also your 6 year old may need some reassurance, it's scary to see it happen and the yoghurt comment could very well be her reassuring herself.

Years ago I was out for a meal with my mum and dad and then-toddler son. He started to choke on some potato. I stood there and froze. My mum had him upside down by his ankles and the food flew out of his mouth. How bad was I that I just stood there? Years later I was able to repay her when again, we were out having a meal and mum was silently choking on a very long sliver of onion, it was stuck, mum couldn't cough it up, couldn't swallow. I reached in her mouth and grabbed the end of the onion at the back of her throat and pulled it out.

It can happen anywhere, anytime, to anyone. But you were there and did everything right and everyone is safe because of youThanks

Mumsymumphy · 17/03/2019 16:44

Sorry, just re-read post, your 6 year old son

Easterbunnyiscomingsoon · 17/03/2019 16:48

One of my dc gave the under 1 a bloody sherbert lemon once in a busy dual carriageway.
Dh driving, I had to turn round, grab him out of his seat and shove him in the foot well and felt like punch his poor back in! Road too busy and no time to pull over.
20 odd years later younger dc still aren't alllowed sweets in the car!
You will carry this awful memory op.

But you handled it well.

Original poster
RedCrab · 17/03/2019 17:16

Thank you everyone. There’s an emergency walk in clinic ten minutes from us so I took her there. She’s fine 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼 I have seen that video on Facebook so many times, the one showing how to you immediately put a choking child over your lap, that I just grabbed her straight away. Thank god for watching that video!

OP posts:
Mydressinggownismybestfriend · 17/03/2019 17:35

Definitely no eating in the car. Ever.

sandytree · 17/03/2019 17:41

How scary- glad everyone is okay! How old is toddler?

RogueV · 17/03/2019 17:44

How scary.
Take care op you sounded like you’ve done great Brew

MissionItsPossible · 17/03/2019 17:50

So glad everything is okay OP, it must have felt terrifying. It's good for people to watch things and learn things like first aid for situations like this.

Mishappening · 17/03/2019 17:51

You poor thing - that must have been so scary.

I had a one-day old baby choke while I was in the loo - came back to find her blue and gasping. I relive that moment all the time. I grabbed her by her feet and slapped her back whilst yelling for help - OH is a doctor and he came and dealt with it; and talked to paediatric colleagues about the next move.

I feel for you. Well done for staying calm and doing all the right things. Phew!

Original poster
RedCrab · 17/03/2019 18:16

She’s two in April, and the baby. We also have a four year old as well as the six year old. This is the first ever proper serious incident!

OP posts:
cathay123 · 17/03/2019 18:23

My DS and I were having lunch one day when I saw him leaning over his plate with water coming out of his mouth. I realised he was silently choking and started hitting him on the back. It seemed like forever, but it was a matter of seconds before a lump of chicken flew out of his mouth. He had tried to drink water to get rid of it but of course his pipes were completely blocked. I cried with relief and he just picked the chicken back up and ate it!

Well done OP. When she is older you can tell her how you saved her life.

SleepDeprivedCabbageBrain · 17/03/2019 20:28

I just watched that video again! You just can't see it enough times.

x2boys · 17/03/2019 20:52

My youngest has severe autism and learning disabilities he choked on a chicken nugget at McDonald's when dh took him. And ds1 for lunch I was ent there but ah said he thought at one point we would lose him it was bloody scary ,I still.cut his food up for him.

Charlieandthechocolatecake · 17/03/2019 21:00

I've just been trained on what to do if somebody chokes, I'm so happy she is fine!

For anybody else interested in what to do in a similar situation, go to life-saver.org.uk

JohnnyMcGrathSaysFuckOff · 17/03/2019 21:04

How scary OP! I had a similar thing happen tonight and our threads are next to each other.

nocoolnamesleft · 17/03/2019 21:05

You did so well. Knowing what to do when someone is choking is a real life safer.

Incidentally, this is not an official technique, but I can vouch that when choking and on your own, using your last strength to run backwards into a wall can work. I've never eaten a boiled sweet again.