This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
First Aid for a Choking Infant (Under 1 Year)
Choking occurs when an infant's airway becomes partially or completely blocked by food, liquid, or small foreign objects. Because infants have narrow airways and developing swallowing reflexes, immediate and age-appropriate physical maneuvers are vital. This guide provides the clinically recommended back blow and chest thrust protocols to clear an obstruction safely.
Quick Summary
Alternate cycles of 5 firm back blows and 5 chest thrusts with the baby angled downward until the blockage is cleared or emergency services arrive.
Important Medical Disclaimer
This guide is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with qualified healthcare providers for medical concerns.
Step-by-Step Guide
Recognize the signs of severe choking and call for help
Quickly assess whether the infant can cry, cough, or breathe. If the baby is coughing forcefully or crying loudly, do not intervene physically, as their natural airway reflexes are working. If the infant cannot make sounds, has high-pitched squeaks, exhibits silent coughing, or turns blue or pale, shout for someone to call 911 (or local emergency services) immediately.
Important: Never perform physical maneuvers if the infant is coughing forcefully or crying, as this can worsen the obstruction.
Position the infant face-down on your forearm
Sit or kneel down to ensure stability. Place the infant face-down along your forearm, resting your arm on your thigh for support. Firmly support the infant's jaw and head using your thumb and fingers, taking care not to compress the soft tissues of the throat or cover their mouth. Ensure the infant's head is kept significantly lower than their chest to allow gravity to assist.
Important: Do not squeeze the soft tissue under the infant's chin or twist their neck while holding the jaw.
Deliver 5 firm back blows
Using the heel of your free hand, deliver up to 5 distinct, firm blows between the infant's shoulder blades. Each blow should be a separate, deliberate attempt to dislodge the foreign body rather than a continuous patting motion. Keep the infant firmly braced against your leg and forearm throughout the procedure.
Turn the infant face-up onto your other forearm
If the object does not come out after 5 back blows, support the back of the infant's head with your free hand. Carefully sandwich the baby between your two forearms and rotate them onto their back. Rest your arm on your thigh, maintaining the infant's head lower than their torso to promote drainage and ejection.
Deliver 5 quick chest thrusts
Place 2 to 3 fingers in the center of the infant's chest, just below the imaginary nipple line on the breastbone. Deliver up to 5 quick, downward chest thrusts, compressing the chest about 1.5 inches (approximately one-third the depth of the chest). Allow the chest to fully recoil between each compression.
Important: Do not perform abdominal thrusts (the Heimlich maneuver) on an infant under one year old, as this can rupture the liver or cause severe internal bleeding.
Repeat the cycle and check the mouth
Continue alternating between 5 back blows and 5 chest thrusts until the object is expelled or the infant begins to cry or breathe independently. If you see an expelled object clearly in the infant's mouth, you may carefully pluck it out with your fingers.
Important: Never perform a blind finger sweep; probing into the throat without seeing the object can push it deeper into the airway.
Begin CPR immediately if the infant becomes unresponsive
If the infant becomes limp or unresponsive, place them gently on a firm, flat surface. Shout for someone to call 911 and retrieve an automated external defibrillator (AED) if not already done. Begin infant CPR immediately, starting with 30 chest compressions, followed by opening the airway and checking for the foreign object before attempting 2 rescue breaths.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the traditional Heimlich maneuver not used on infants?
What should I do if I think the baby choked on liquid?
Does my baby need to see a doctor if the object comes out and they seem fine?
Can I hold the baby upside down by their feet to clear the airway?
Sources & References
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Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed October 19, 2026. · Read our editorial policy