Found video on what to do if baby is choking...

[NLucy]

Hi all,

I just spotted this video, and is it just me or is the 'back slap' demonstration a little tough on the wee plastic baby?

www.totallyliving.co.uk/family-and-relationships/2012/01/09/video-what-to-do-if-your-child-is-choking

I always thought it was more of a hard rub than a slap...thinking about teenie tiny bones and such! What do you think?

(although, I'd prob be calling 999 at the first sight of a splutter or cough! :) )

I suppose if my child was in a life threatening situation, about to choke to death I wouldn't care how hard I had to slap their back to get the piece of food out! It'd be the least of my worries. Even if you did hurt them, which is doubtful, I'd rather that than have them die!

An ambulance would not get there in time.

Oh of course, I don't doubt that instinct would kick in and we'd do whatever we could to save a life! I was just surprised by the force - but then I'm not the professionals!

It has to be firm as small bodies are very springy as much higher % of cartridge to bone.

1 hard slap is much better than 6 moderate pats.

Looks right to me. I went on a Red Cross-organised baby first aid course and the back blows were definitely very firm. They have to be hard enough to dislodge the blockage, after all.
Useful video, by the way!

I think it looks so bad because of the size of there little bodies' I remember DS1 when he was about 3 month, I woke to hear him making a funny noise he was choking on abit of lumpy sick well I was fine at first thought just rub him gently on his back but when that didn't work and his lips start to go blue straight over my knee he went and I smacked his back it worked. I had watched something about this whilst pregnant though and it just seemed to come back when needed,when Ithink about it know I still get a cold sweat and it was over 13 years ago.

I doubt a "hard rub" would dislodge anything at all. But thank you for posting the video - is helpful.

Properly carried out backslap will bruise. The slap is designed to dislodge the object the baby is choking on. That can't be gentle.

Same with CPR - that one can break ribs. It's one of my worries should I ever come into the situation of having to administer CPR - that in the end you get accused of GBH, even if you only wanted to help

I have had to do this to my then 11 month old when she choked on her food. It didnt bruise but did leave a bg red mark across her back. It didnt work at first and we ended up calling an ambulance as well as she was going purple/blue. Luckily just before the ambulance got there it DID work.