If your baby is choking and has not coughed up the food themself you may need to commence CPR.

To do CPR on a baby remember to use not quite as much force as you do with an adult. All new parents should read up on basic child first aid and should keep a book handy.

If your child is choking:

1. Give your baby a couple of medium hard pats on the back. See if you can easily disodge the food with your finger but do not try too much as you may risk pushing the food further down the throat
2. If this has not worked tip baby so that their head is lower than the rest of the body balanced along the length of your arm with your hand supporting their chest and chin. In a sitting down position rest your arm on your thigh.
3. Give baby four or five strong blows with the heel of your hand between his/her shoulder blades
4. If the item has not dislodged call the emergency services
5. Whilst waiting for the emergency services turn baby over keeping his/ her head lower than the rest of the body and still supporting the body along the length of your arm and the head with your hand.
6. Place three fingers in the centre of the chest just below nipple level. Push down on the chest about 1 inch or just less then release to let the chest rise. Do this five times in a smooth thrusting motion.
7. Turn baby back onto his/ her front and repeat steps 2 & 3
8. Turn baby back onto his/ her front and repeat steps 5 & 6
9. If baby becomes unconscious you may need to begin CPR