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First aid · Australia

Child and baby choking

If a baby or child cannot cough effectively or breathe, call 000 and begin back blows and chest thrusts. Check after every action. A baby must stay supported with the head lower than the body for back blows.

Medical emergency? Call 000

What to do

  1. Check the cough; call for help

    If coughing is strong and breathing is possible, let them cough and watch closely. Call 000 for ineffective coughing, breathing difficulty or a silent cough.

    Choose by age: use the baby instructions in steps 2–3, or the child instructions in step 4. Then continue at step 5.

    Avoid: Waiting to call 000 or giving food and drink while the airway is blocked.

  2. Baby: back blows

    Baby under 1: support them face down along your forearm or thigh, head lower than the body, supporting the head and jaw. Give up to 5 sharp back blows between the shoulder blades. Check after each.

    Take care. Do not hang a baby or child upside down by their legs.

  3. Baby: chest thrusts

    If still blocked, turn the baby onto their back with the head supported. Use 2 fingers on the lower half of the breastbone for up to 5 sharp chest thrusts. Check after each.

  4. Child: back blows, then chest thrusts

    Child over 1: lean them forward for up to 5 back blows. If needed, support the back and use the heel of your hand on the lower half of the breastbone for up to 5 chest thrusts.

    Take care. Do not use abdominal thrusts.

  5. Alternate while still blocked

    Keep alternating back blows and chest thrusts while the blockage remains. Stop when it clears.

  6. If unresponsive: start CPR

    If the baby or child becomes unresponsive and is not breathing normally, start CPR with compressions and follow 000.

    Take care. Do not put fingers into the mouth unless an object is visible and can be removed.

Know when to act

When to get help

  • Any child or infant who cannot breathe, speak, cry or cough effectively needs immediate 000 help.

Children and babies

  • Chest thrusts use the same chest location as CPR but are sharper and given more slowly. Keep the baby supported throughout.

Keep checking

  • Keep monitoring breathing and response.

What you may notice

  • An effective cough or cry means some air is moving; stay close and watch.
  • Severe choking may mean the baby or child cannot breathe, cry, speak or cough effectively.
  • The infant needs head support and a different position from a child over 1.
  • The person may become unresponsive if the obstruction is not cleared.

When help arrives

  • Keep monitoring response and breathing after the object comes out; medical assessment may still be needed.
  • Tell the ambulance crew what was swallowed, if known, and which actions were given.

Other useful answers

What happens after the blockage clears?

Keep watching their breathing. Persistent cough, wheeze, blood, fever or breathing trouble needs medical advice.

Sources and last update

Content updated: 6 September 2026.

These sources inform the guidance. This independent resource is not a substitute for a first aid course or medical assessment. An editorial update is not independent clinical review. Source organisations have not endorsed this site.

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