I knew days like today would come, but I didn't ever really think about it much. Until that very moment when it did happen, I was not prepared. Reflecting back on it now, I remember someone teaching me what to do if my baby ever chokes. I think it was something like this: place her stomach and chest on my forearm with her head facing the ground; with my other hand, give her a few hits on her back. That is about all I remember.
However, the teaching that we had, did help. Erin and my mom were feeding Emily at the kitchen table. I was on the phone with a friend, when Erin started calling my name loudly. At first, I was a little aggrevated. But, then I realized something was wrong. I immediately got up and went to Erin. Putting the phone down on the table without saying anything or even hanging up (sorry Robbie). I then realized that Emily was choking! Within 3 seconds, Erin turned Emily over to her stomach and gave Emily's back a few thrust with her hand. Then, Emily coughed up the Puff that she just tried to swallow. She also threw up the baby food she had just eaten. And as soon as it started, it was finished. The entire event must have been less than one minute. Afterwords, Erin was shaken up and crying. But, Emily was fine as could be. This was the first time that we tried feeding her one of those Gerber Puffs. They are kinda like Cheerios that dissolve in your mouth. Well, we probably should have waiting a little longer before giving her any hard foods. Or, we could have broken the little piece up a little bit so it wouldn't choke her. Needless to say, we are holding off on those things for now.
There is a positive note to this story. We learned how quick things really happen and how quick we need to react. I see that we need to relearn what to do in situations like this, so we can be better prepared if it ever happens again. I am not glad that this happened. But, I am glad that we survived it and I am glad that we have learned from this experience. If this ever happens
again, I feel that we are now better prepared for it.
Here is a link to some resources for choking babies.
http://www.ndhealth.gov/familyhealth/MCH/babyfacts/Choking.pdf
However, the teaching that we had, did help. Erin and my mom were feeding Emily at the kitchen table. I was on the phone with a friend, when Erin started calling my name loudly. At first, I was a little aggrevated. But, then I realized something was wrong. I immediately got up and went to Erin. Putting the phone down on the table without saying anything or even hanging up (sorry Robbie). I then realized that Emily was choking! Within 3 seconds, Erin turned Emily over to her stomach and gave Emily's back a few thrust with her hand. Then, Emily coughed up the Puff that she just tried to swallow. She also threw up the baby food she had just eaten. And as soon as it started, it was finished. The entire event must have been less than one minute. Afterwords, Erin was shaken up and crying. But, Emily was fine as could be. This was the first time that we tried feeding her one of those Gerber Puffs. They are kinda like Cheerios that dissolve in your mouth. Well, we probably should have waiting a little longer before giving her any hard foods. Or, we could have broken the little piece up a little bit so it wouldn't choke her. Needless to say, we are holding off on those things for now.
There is a positive note to this story. We learned how quick things really happen and how quick we need to react. I see that we need to relearn what to do in situations like this, so we can be better prepared if it ever happens again. I am not glad that this happened. But, I am glad that we survived it and I am glad that we have learned from this experience. If this ever happens
again, I feel that we are now better prepared for it.
Here is a link to some resources for choking babies.
http://www.ndhealth.gov/familyhealth/MCH/babyfacts/Choking.pdf