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My child is choking - what do I do right now?

Emergency numbers: 108 ambulance · 112 national emergency · Poison centre (AIIMS, 24x7): 1800-116-117

Quick answer: If your child is coughing loudly or can speak or cry, let them cough - do not interfere and do not put your fingers in their mouth. If they cannot breathe, speak, cry or cough, or are turning blue: call 108 (or get someone else to call) and start back blows and thrusts immediately, as below. Every second counts.

First, tell the difference

  • Mild blockage (partial): your child is coughing forcefully, can breathe, speak or cry. Encourage them to keep coughing. Stay with them and watch closely. Do not slap their back while they are coughing effectively.
  • Severe blockage (complete): silent or near-silent - cannot breathe, cry, speak or cough; high-pitched squeak or no sound; grabbing at the throat; turning pale or blue; going limp. Act NOW.

🔴 RED - This is always an emergency

A severe blockage needs first aid immediately - do not leave your child to fetch anything. Shout for help. Someone should call 108 while you work. If you are alone, start first aid first; call after the first cycles (or call on speakerphone).

🆘 SOS - What to do right now

For a CHILD (over 1 year)

  • Give 5 back blows: stand or kneel behind your child, lean them forward, and strike firmly between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand.
  • Give 5 abdominal thrusts: stand behind your child, put your arms around their waist, make a fist just above the belly button, grasp it with your other hand, and pull sharply inwards and upwards.
  • Keep alternating 5 back blows and 5 abdominal thrusts until the object comes out or the child becomes unconscious.

For a BABY (under 1 year)

  • Lay the baby face-down along your forearm, supported on your thigh, head lower than the body, jaw supported in your hand.
  • Give 5 firm back blows between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand.
  • Turn the baby face-up, head still lower than the chest, and give 5 quick chest thrusts in the centre of the chest, just below the nipple line.
  • Keep alternating 5 back blows and 5 chest thrusts until the object comes out or the baby becomes unconscious.
  • Never use abdominal (belly) thrusts on a baby under 1 year - they can injure the liver and other organs.

If your child becomes unconscious

Lay them on a firm, flat surface, call 108 if not already done, and start CPR if you know how, beginning with chest compressions. Before breaths, look in the mouth and remove the object ONLY if you can clearly see it.

❌ DO NOT

  • Do not do a blind finger sweep. Never poke inside the mouth unless you can actually see the object - you will push it deeper.
  • Do not slap the back of a child who is coughing effectively - let the cough do its job.
  • Do not give water or food to "push it down".
  • Do not hold your child upside down by the legs.
  • Do not use abdominal thrusts on a baby under 1 year.

After the object is out

Even if your child seems fine, get them checked by a doctor the same day - especially if the object was food (like a nut), because pieces can be left behind in the airway. A cough, wheeze or chest infection that keeps coming back after a choking episode always needs a doctor.

What is happening and why

Choking is a leading cause of injury death in young children, and two-thirds of those who die are babies under one year. Small round foods and objects are the classic culprits: whole grapes, nuts, popcorn, hard candy, marshmallows, chunks of meat or cheese, coins, buttons, marbles, and small button batteries. Cut round foods (grapes, cherry tomatoes, sausages) lengthwise into small pieces, keep little objects out of reach, and make children sit down to eat. Consider learning paediatric first aid and CPR in a hands-on class - reading this page is a start, not a substitute.

This page is for first-aid education and does not replace examination by a doctor. In an emergency, call 108 or 112.

Sources (last checked 13 Sep 2026)

Reviewed and approved by Dr Anjana Alekhya, MD (Paediatrics) · Published 13 September 2026