Choking on food - easy read

food; choking; breathing; grate; hard; fruits; vegetables; nuts; popcorn; lollies; carrot; celery; apple;

Contents

• Why young children are at risk of choking on food
• How to make eating safer
• What to do if a child chokes on food
• How to make food safer for young children
• For more information in South Australia

 

 

Safe eating information for families and carers of children 4 years of age and under.

 

 

 

 

Why young children are at risk of choking on food

• They do not have back teeth to chew and grind food.
• They are still learning to eat, chew and swallow.

How to make eating safer

• Always sit down to eat.
• Watch your child while they eat.
• Encourage children to eat slowly and chew well.
  
• Never force children to eat.
• Do not give food or drink to children when they are running, playing, laughing or crying.

What to do if a child chokes on food

If the child is breathing (able to cough)

1. Check the mouth for food, remove any food you see.
2. Ask the child to cough. Remove any food that comes out.
3. Stay with the child to make sure they are breathing normally.
   
4. If coughing has not removed the food and your child is not breathing normally,  dial 000 (Australia) for an ambulance.

If the child has difficulty breathing (not able to bring food up by coughing)

1. Dial 000 (in Australia) for an ambulance.
2. If your child is conscious, place child face down over your lap so that their head is lower than their chest.
3. Give up to 5 sharp blows between the shoulders using the heel of your hand.
   
4. Check the mouth after each back blow and remove any food.

If the child is unconscious dial 000 for an anbulance and start CPR (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation).

How to make food safer for young children

• Cut meat, chicken and sausages into small pieces, remove skins and excess fat.
  
• Grate, cook or mash all hard fruits and vegetables.
  
• Do not give foods that have small and hard pieces, like raw carrot, celery or apple.
• Do not give nuts, popcorn, corn chips, whole grapes, hard or sticky lollies.
  

For more information

Have a look at the topic on this site: Choking

Kidsafe pamphlet on Choking

South Australia

• St John Ambulance Australia (SA) on 1800 360 455.
• Australian Red Cross on 8293 9200.
• Kidsafe SA on 8161 6318.
• 24 hour Parent Helpline on 1300 364 100.
  
• Women's and Children's Health Information Centre on 8161 6875 for copies of the brochure on which this topic is based.
• In an emergency dial 000 (Australia) for an ambulance.

The content of this topic was produced by the Centre for Health Promotion of the Children, Youth and Women's Health Service, South Australia.

• see the link at top left under 'Downloads' for a copy of the printed brochure
  

The information on this site should not be used as an alternative to professional care. If you have a particular problem, see a doctor, or ring the Parent Helpline on 1300 364 100 (local call cost from anywhere in South Australia).

This topic may use 'he' and 'she' in turn - please change to suit your
child's sex.