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Wednesday, August 20, 2025

What to do if someone gets swallowed object stuck in throat (child)?


If a child swallows an object and it gets stuck in the throat, it can block the airway (choking) or lodge in the esophagus. Quick and careful action is critical.

1. Assess if the child is choking (airway blocked) or not

Signs of choking (airway blockage):

  • Cannot cry, speak, or breathe

  • High-pitched noises or silent attempts to breathe

  • Clutching throat, panicked look

  • Skin turning blue (cyanosis)

If the child can cough, cry, or breathe → encourage them to keep coughing and get medical evaluation promptly.

2. If choking and unable to breathe (emergency)

For infants under 1 year

  1. Call emergency services immediately (or have someone else call).

  2. Place the infant face down on your forearm, supporting the head.

  3. Give 5 firm back blows between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand.

  4. If still blocked, turn the infant face up, supporting the head.

  5. Give 5 chest thrusts (similar position as CPR compressions but slower, one fingerbreadth below the nipple line).

  6. Alternate back blows and chest thrusts until the object comes out or help arrives.

  7. If the infant becomes unresponsive → begin CPR.

For children over 1 year

  1. Call emergency services immediately (or have someone else call).

  2. Stand or kneel behind the child.

  3. Perform the Heimlich maneuver (abdominal thrusts):

    • Place a fist just above the belly button.

    • Grasp with your other hand and give quick, inward and upward thrusts.

    • Repeat until the object is expelled or the child becomes unresponsive.

  4. If the child becomes unresponsive → begin CPR.

3. If the child is breathing but object is stuck (esophageal obstruction)

  • Do not attempt the Heimlich or back blows.

  • Keep the child calm and sitting upright.

  • Do not give food or drink.

  • Take the child to the emergency department — endoscopy may be required.

  • If drooling, chest pain, persistent coughing, or difficulty swallowing develops, treat as urgent.

4. Do NOT

  • Do not perform a blind finger sweep in the child’s throat — it can push the object deeper.

  • Do not delay emergency help — choking can progress within seconds.

5. While waiting for help

  • Stay calm and keep the child calm (crying or panic can worsen obstruction).

  • Monitor for changes — if breathing stops, begin CPR immediately.




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