Fear and fobia of choking.Please advice.....

[mum2oliver]

Its actually my friend who has a terrible fear of a child choking.She watches her dd like a hawk but luckily dd doesnt realise as she is really careful about not passing on the problem.
What can she do?
She has just had a BFP today adn already she is thinking about weaning and choking.
Is there anything she can do to deal with this?

I used to teach first aiders. The best way to conquer a fear is to face it. St John's Ambulance run a good first aid course, as do the Red cross. Some health visitors do a post natal class and teach baby resuscitation. I used to advertise my "save a Life" classes to all employees with the words:"Anyone who is a parent, grandparent, uncle, aunt, or babysitter has a responsibility to learn basic first aid". I saw a toddler choke to death when I was about 12. The parents didn't have a clue what to do it was awful and I have never forgotten it. I started attending first aid classes at school not long after, as I never wanted to be in that position again. Aside from that, the HV will advise suitable foods for weaning. Never leave a small child eating unsupervised, don't allow to run around while eating. Common sense really.

I wonder if once she is confident that she could deal with it if it happened, would her fear subside and she could be more relaxed around her child. Has she had a traumatic experience? If she really has a phobia, she may need counselling.

No ad experience but there must be something thats made her like this.
I suggested getting first aid training and her reply was that if something like a grape got jammed in the throat there wouls be nothing anyone could do until child got to hospital!
Its weird,she says she knows deep down that she is being silly but its just a physical reaction she getswhen she sees a child eating.

My MIL is abit like your friend, and tbh, we all panic a bit when our LOs gag on something. I always tell myself, if they're making a sound eg a cough/splutter, then they can breathe, so panic over. real choking is silent and deadly.

ps i realize your friend is extreme, so counselling could help.