Toddler choking on a grape

Question 1

Your 2-year-old grabbed a whole grape off the table and is now silent, panicked, and going blue around the lips. What's happening?

Accepted Answer

Severe choking — a complete airway blockage. They need help right now

Answer

A tantrum

Answer

A mild reaction — wait and see

Answer

A breath-holding episode

Question 2

Severe choking in a toddler. What do you do?

Accepted Answer

Up to 5 sharp back blows between the shoulder blades while leaning them forward and down across your forearm or lap

Answer

Squeeze the tummy as hard as you can straight away

Answer

Tip them upside down by the ankles

Answer

Reach in and try to hook the grape out blindly

Question 3

Same scenario but it's a 7-month-old baby on the high chair. Back blows and abdominal thrusts?

Accepted Answer

Back blows yes — but for under-1s use chest thrusts, not abdominal thrusts. Their abdomen is too small and fragile

Answer

Yes, exactly the same

Answer

Just shake them gently

Answer

Lay them on their back and start CPR

Question 4

You've done a cycle of back blows and thrusts on the toddler and the grape hasn't come out. When do you call 999?

Accepted Answer

Now — get someone else to dial 999 while you keep going. Put the phone on speaker on the floor next to you

Answer

Wait 5 more minutes

Answer

Only if they go unconscious

Answer

Drive to A&E instead

Question 5

After it clears, the toddler is breathing and seems fine. Send them off to play?

Accepted Answer

No — any child who's had abdominal or chest thrusts, or who was choking severely, needs to be seen by a clinician. Take them to A&E or call 111

Answer

Yes — crisis over

Answer

Wait until tomorrow and book the GP

Answer

Give more thrusts 'just in case'

Toddler choking on a grape — free online first aid refresher | Brity®