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The danger signs of choking are: Bluish skin color (cyanosis), difficulty breathing -- ribs and chest pull inward; loss of consciousness (unresponsiveness) if the blockage is not cleared; inability to cry or make much sound; weak, ineffective coughing; soft or high-pitched sounds while inhaling.
Do not perform these steps if the infant is coughing hard or has a strong cry. Strong coughs and cries can help push the object out of the airway.
If the infant is not coughing forcefully or does not have a strong cry, follow these steps:
Lay the infant face down, along your forearm. Use your thigh or lap for support. Hold the infant's chest in your hand and the jaw with your fingers. Point the infant's head downward, lower than the body. Use the palm of your free hand, and give 5 quick, forceful blows between the infant's shoulder blades (back blows).
Review Date 2/10/2026
Updated by: Jesse Borke, MD, CPE, FAAEM, FACEP, Attending Physician at Kaiser Permanente, Orange County, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
