In autumn and winter, the proportion of infants experiencing suffocation increases gradually. Actions such as sleeping on their stomach, sucking foreign objects, choking, drowning, getting tangled in ropes, being covered by heavy blankets, and co-sleeping with adults can all result in suffocation. Symptoms include pale complexion, black lips, and loss of consciousness. If the brain is deprived of oxygen for more than 5 minutes, it can lead to severe brain damage, even death. Therefore, parents should have knowledge of first aid and provide artificial respiration and chest compressions to maintain the baby's vital signs during the process of calling for help.
Common Measures:
1. Assess the level of consciousness and alertness of the baby, and check their breathing. Lay the baby down and use the head tilt-chin lift maneuver to open the airway.
2. If the baby is unconscious and not breathing properly, perform emergency artificial respiration and chest compressions. The compression rate should be about 100 per minute, with 30 compressions followed by 2 breaths.
Removing Foreign Objects:
For babies under 1 year old, immediately position the baby with their head down between the adult's knees. Use back patting to help the baby cough out the foreign object. If it cannot be removed, use the Heimlich maneuver by pushing upward on the abdomen from bottom to top until the object is expelled.
For babies over 1 year old, position the baby with their back against the adult's chest. Wrap your arms around the baby and use force to press on their upper abdomen to help them vomit out the foreign object.
Preventive Measures:
1. Small objects such as coins, buttons, batteries, and pen caps should be stored out of reach to prevent children from swallowing or inserting them into other body openings, causing obstruction or suffocation. Children under 2 years old should not eat hard fruits or nuts.
2. If there are floor-length curtains at home, it is best to shorten and tie up the cords to prevent the baby from getting tangled in them while playing and avoid accidental suffocation.
3. It is recommended that babies do not sleep in the same bed as their parents to avoid the risk of parents accidentally rolling over and suffocating the baby while asleep. The baby can sleep in the same room as the parents, but it is best to sleep in a crib for easy supervision.
