Becoming a mother is a wonderful experience, one that opens the door to a multitude of new experiences.
Just like taking birth education classes before the big day, it is helpful to have some information about common issues before they arise.
If you the first time mother of a newborn, this might seem pointless but believe me, the days between rolling over and sitting up go by like lightning.
The best thing to do is to baby-proof your home as soon as humanly possible.
This article on removing an obstruction from a child who is choking is the first in a series of informative articles about lessons every mother needs to learn.
Infants - Now, if you should ever witness an infant choking, you need to know what to do.
If the child is able to cry or is coughing, she may be able to get it out without help.
If the windpipe is obstructed, you can rest the child on your forearm with your hand holding her at the shoulder.
The baby's face should be facing the floor and her body should be at a downward angle, letting gravity assist you in removing the object.
Hit the child firmly in the center of the back and see if the obstruction comes out.
Try a few times and check the child and try again if necessary.
Make sure that someone else calls 911 while you are working.
Toddlers - If the child is a little older, you can try to use have him lean over your knee or another surface while you strike his back while you thrust upward with one hand is under him just below the bottom of the center of his ribcage.
You may have to do this several times before the object is dislodged.
Make sure that someone else calls an ambulance while you continue trying.
Older Children - If the child is big enough, you can try to do the Heimlich maneuver, which is also effective for adults, where you stand behind the person who is choking and put your arms around her, below their arms, and form a fist with your two hands just below the center of the opening just below the ribcage.
You then press firmly in and upward to dislodge the obstruction.
Keep trying until you see the object fly out or she begins coughing, a sign that the airway is open.
Again, make sure that someone contacts emergency medical services while you work.
More Information - I am not a medical professional and these incomplete instructions are given in plain language as an attempt to give you a taste of what to do in case of an emergency.
Please ask your healthcare provider to demonstrate the technique for you and search online for detailed instructions with photos or illustrations to review periodically.
We hope that you find this and our other articles on parenting issues helpful.
Just like taking birth education classes before the big day, it is helpful to have some information about common issues before they arise.
If you the first time mother of a newborn, this might seem pointless but believe me, the days between rolling over and sitting up go by like lightning.
The best thing to do is to baby-proof your home as soon as humanly possible.
This article on removing an obstruction from a child who is choking is the first in a series of informative articles about lessons every mother needs to learn.
Infants - Now, if you should ever witness an infant choking, you need to know what to do.
If the child is able to cry or is coughing, she may be able to get it out without help.
If the windpipe is obstructed, you can rest the child on your forearm with your hand holding her at the shoulder.
The baby's face should be facing the floor and her body should be at a downward angle, letting gravity assist you in removing the object.
Hit the child firmly in the center of the back and see if the obstruction comes out.
Try a few times and check the child and try again if necessary.
Make sure that someone else calls 911 while you are working.
Toddlers - If the child is a little older, you can try to use have him lean over your knee or another surface while you strike his back while you thrust upward with one hand is under him just below the bottom of the center of his ribcage.
You may have to do this several times before the object is dislodged.
Make sure that someone else calls an ambulance while you continue trying.
Older Children - If the child is big enough, you can try to do the Heimlich maneuver, which is also effective for adults, where you stand behind the person who is choking and put your arms around her, below their arms, and form a fist with your two hands just below the center of the opening just below the ribcage.
You then press firmly in and upward to dislodge the obstruction.
Keep trying until you see the object fly out or she begins coughing, a sign that the airway is open.
Again, make sure that someone contacts emergency medical services while you work.
More Information - I am not a medical professional and these incomplete instructions are given in plain language as an attempt to give you a taste of what to do in case of an emergency.
Please ask your healthcare provider to demonstrate the technique for you and search online for detailed instructions with photos or illustrations to review periodically.
We hope that you find this and our other articles on parenting issues helpful.