Choking in Children: Prevention and What to Do

An independent educational resource prepared by Mark M. Simonian, MD, FAAP

Sources checked: August 6, 2026     |     Medical review completed: August 6, 2026

This page is for general education only and does not replace individualized medical advice. This resource does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. For questions about your own child, contact your child's current healthcare professional.

Magnolia Pediatrics, Valley Children's Healthcare

2497 E. Herndon Avenue, Suite 101, Clovis, CA 93611     |     559-538-3070

Choking can become life-threatening in seconds. Know the difference between a child who can cough or make sound and a child who cannot breathe, speak, cry, or cough effectively. Every caregiver should learn and practice child and infant CPR and choking-relief skills.

Urgent Warning Signs - Check This First

If the child cannot breathe or make sound, turns blue or gray, becomes limp, or loses consciousness, act immediately and call 911. Do not wait to see whether the object passes.

CALL 911 NOW

  • Your child cannot breathe, speak, cry, or cough effectively; has a weak or silent cough; is blue or gray; panicked; limp; or becoming unresponsive

  • Your child becomes unresponsive, has abnormal breathing or gasping, or you believe there is a life-threatening airway blockage

  • Call 911 immediately. If another adult is present, have that person call while you begin choking relief. Follow the dispatcher’s instructions

GET EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE NOW

  • Choking symptoms persist after the object seems to come out, including ongoing cough, wheeze, noisy breathing, trouble swallowing, chest pain, vomiting, or a child who is not back to normal

  • You suspect a button battery, magnet, sharp object, or another dangerous object was swallowed or inhaled, even if the child seems well

  • Your child had a significant choking episode or needed back blows, thrusts, CPR, or emergency response. Seek clinician guidance after the emergency

CONTACT YOUR CHILD'S HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL TODAY

  • Your child had a choking episode but continues to cough, has a new wheeze, fever, voice change, trouble swallowing, or repeated vomiting

  • You are concerned about a possible inhaled or swallowed object, even without a witnessed choking episode

  • Your child has recurring choking with feeding, poor chewing, drooling, developmental or swallowing concerns, or needs an individualized eating plan

If the Child Can Cough or Make Sound

  • Encourage the child to keep coughing. Stay with the child and watch closely

  • Do not give food or drink, do not put fingers in the mouth, and do not perform thrusts if the child is coughing effectively and can make sound

  • Be ready to act if the cough becomes weak or silent, breathing worsens, the child turns blue or gray, or the child becomes tired or unresponsive

If the Child Has a Severe Choking Blockage

  • For a child age 1 year through puberty who cannot breathe, speak, cry, or cough effectively: give 5 back blows, then 5 abdominal thrusts. Repeat until the object comes out or the child becomes unresponsive

  • For an infant younger than 1 year with severe choking: give 5 back blows, then 5 chest thrusts. Do not use abdominal thrusts on an infant

  • If the child becomes unresponsive, place the child on a firm, flat surface and start CPR beginning with chest compressions. Look for a visible object when opening the airway for breaths; remove it only if you can see it

  • Never perform a blind finger sweep. Do not use suction-based airway-clearance devices in place of established choking relief; their safety and effectiveness in children have not been established

  • These written directions cannot replace hands-on practice. Take an American Heart Association or American Red Cross child and infant CPR/first-aid course

Food and Object Prevention

  • Have children sit upright and stay seated while eating. Do not allow running, playing, laughing hard, or lying down with food in the mouth

  • Prepare foods safely for the child’s age and skill: cut round foods such as grapes, cherry tomatoes, and hot dogs lengthwise and into small pieces; avoid nuts, popcorn, hard candy, whole grapes, and other high-risk foods until the child is developmentally ready

  • Keep balloons, coins, button batteries, magnets, marbles, small balls, small toy parts, pen caps, and other small objects out of reach. Balloons remain a choking risk for children through age 8

  • Choose age-appropriate toys and follow the manufacturer’s small-parts warnings. Check floors, low tables, bags, and older siblings’ play areas regularly

At Meals, Child Care, and School

  • An adult should remain nearby and attentive while young children eat. Tell babysitters, grandparents, child care, and school staff about the child’s allergy, swallowing, or choking plan if one is needed

  • For children with special healthcare needs, discuss food texture, seating, supervision, adaptive equipment, and emergency action plans with the child’s healthcare team and school

  • Keep current emergency contacts available and make sure all regular caregivers know where to find the child’s epinephrine auto-injector if prescribed

Call Preparation

  • What your child was eating or holding; when the event occurred; whether the object came out; and what first aid was performed

  • Any ongoing symptoms: cough, wheeze, noisy breathing, pain, voice change, vomiting, fever, trouble swallowing, or behavior change

  • Whether a button battery, magnet, sharp object, medicine, or another hazardous item could be involved

Related Guides

  • Poisoning and Possible Ingestion: What to Do Now

  • First Aid for Common Injuries: When to Seek Care

  • Allergic Reactions, Hives and Swelling: When to Seek Care

  • Water Safety for Children: Prevention and Emergency Response

Sources and Medical Review

  • American Heart Association and American Academy of Pediatrics, 2025 Pediatric Basic Life Support Guidelines: Read source

  • American Heart Association, 2025 Choking Guidance Update: Read source

  • HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics), Choking Prevention for Babies and Children: Read source

  • American Red Cross, Infant Choking: How To Help: Read source

  • American Heart Association, Pediatric First Aid CPR AED: Read source