Call 9 1 1 if your child is showing signs of choking. This includes trouble breathing or being unable to talk or make sounds. Kneel down behind your child. Place one hand on their stomach and the other on their upper back. Tilt your child's upper body slightly forward, holding them in place with the hand on their stomach. Place the hand on their back under the other hand in the shape of a fist with your thumb, closest to their body. Move your hands right above their belly button in the middle of their rib cage. Push your hands inward and upward into your child's stomach repeatedly. Continue this motion until the food or item becomes dislodged from their throat.
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Online Medical Reviewer: Adler, Liora, MD
Online Medical Reviewer: Novick, Tara, BSN, MSN
Date Last Reviewed: 07/01/2021
© 2000-2025 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.
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