By Exit Desk
A choking emergency can happen in seconds, and for infants, every moment matters. Many New Jersey parents say they aren’t sure what to do if a baby suddenly stops breathing, turns blue, or cannot cry. This guide explains the immediate steps recommended by pediatric emergency teams to clear a blocked airway and keep a child stable until help arrives.
If an infant under one year old is choking and cannot cough, breathe, or make sound, you must act fast. Lay the baby face-down along your forearm, supporting the head, and deliver five firm back blows between the shoulder blades. If the object does not clear, turn the infant face-up and give five chest thrusts using two fingers in the center of the chest. Continue alternating five back blows and five chest thrusts until the airway opens or help arrives.
If the baby becomes unresponsive at any point, begin CPR for infants and call 911 immediately. Do not perform the Heimlich maneuver on infants and never blindly sweep a finger inside the mouth, as this can push a blockage deeper.
Parents are encouraged to learn basic infant CPR and choking-response skills, especially during cold and flu season when small children are more likely to struggle with mucus, food, or small objects.
đź“… Posted: December 3, 2025
