Your baby should not choke!

One moment she was busy feeding her child, playing with her. The next the toddler was in a fit, eyes rolling over. Her precious baby was choking. After seconds of panic that seemed like eternity, she realised that she could not handle the situation alone.

MAGDA had given her maid the day off, her husband was at work and so she was all alone—of course with her now endangered child. She managed to call her neighbour, a nurse, who gratefully, was home. This is when Magda got a leaf of what she ought to have done. Swiftly and with the calm of an expert, her friend took hold of the baby and quickly administered first aid. And almost as though it had never happened, one year old Mercy was her bubbly self again – offering toothy grins and kicking her limbs left right and centre.

Children’s airways are small, hence they choke easily. The offending object could either be food or any imaginable solid that can be popped into the mouth! When a child chokes, there is the risk of death, since the airways are blocked. Other complications may also arise, such as brain damage. So what can you as a parent do to reduce the risk of your child choking?

Dr. Jebet Boit, a General Practitioner in Nairobi, says that instances of choking in children should be handled fast. For children below one year, she says, put them across your lap.,facing downwards. With one hand supporting the head, give the child two firm thrusts. Repeat the same and see whether you can visualize the choking object.

This is different from the first aid given to children aged six years and above, who are heavier thus require the ‘Heimlich manoeuvre’ where you stand behind the choking child and embrace them from behind, like you are hugging them, with one hand just before the ribcage. One hand is clasped over the other. Bring one clasped hand inwards. The pressure is able to bring contents in the oesophagus up, making it easier to spit and tough out the blockage.

A struggling child is a good sign though since it means they are still conscious, says the doctor. If one is unconscious, Dr. Jebet Boit advises that you should start heading towards the hospital.

EATING HABITS
Children’s teeth take time to develop and become strong enough to enable them to properly chew their food. Hence those below the age of four should be fed selectively. When doing this, the doctor says you should remember the following:

• First and foremost, never force your child to eat anything that he does not want. Many parents are guilty of this.
• Ensure that the baby breaks wind. Placing the child directly to bed after feeding may result to choking. A small baby is not strong enough to turn themselves to avoid choking.
• Be close to supervise your child during meal times, especially if he is just learning to feed himself.
• Meal times should be strictly for meals. Many children like to play as they eat—a dangerous thing as they can easily choke.
• When feeding your child with meat, cut it into very small pieces. There are various forms of sausages in the market today. Ensure that the sausage you are feeding your child is cut into tiny pieces, removing skin if need be.
• Remove bones from the child’s food, especially fish and chicken.
• Mash food as much as you can. nuts included, fruit like apple and banana should be crushed too.

BABY’S ENVIRONMENT

• Get rid of all polythene and plastic wraps immediately after you unwrap an item.
• Position the baby properly in bed while putting them to sleep.
• Remember to tie knots in plastic bags before throwing them out. Also keep them away from children.
• If the child’s cot has a plastic cover. Get rid of it, it may be tempting to eat.
• Ensure curtains and blinds do not get in the way of children. They can easily chew on the ends and the result can be tragic.

SMALL OBJECTS

• As a rule, small objects such as beads, marbles and coins should be kept out of the child’s reach.
• Be careful when buying your child toys. Be wary of the ones that can easily be broken into pieces just by a little tug and pull. These may not be suitable for children under three years of age.
• Keep the child away from the decorated Christmas tree. He is bound to pick items used for decorating and insert it into his mouth.
• Almost all children love balloons. They are however dangerous to them. They easily explode when pricked in one way or the other. If fragments of a burst balloon are swallowed, chances are that the airway gets blocked. You should be within vicinity when you let your child to play with a balloon.

What to do when your child chokes

• Primarily, do not panic. It will be difficult for you to handle a child when you are in a state of panic.
• The fact that he is able to breathe means that the object can be dislodged by coughing.
• Is your child breathing? If so, do not hit your child on the back to try and dislodge the food. This may move the food such that it blocks the airway causing her to stop breathing.
• Keep a keen eye on the child to see if breathing is still happening. If it falters, call a doctor or an ambulance.
• In case the child is not breathing, hold the child’s face down, over your lap so that the head is lower than his chest.
• This is probably the only time you are allowed to smack your child without feeling guilty. On the back, just below the shoulder blades, hit him several times.
• If the child is not breathing, rush to the doctor.

All in all,  safety and preparedness is paramount, since with children, you never know what will happen next!

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