🫁 Choking — Baby Under 1 Year
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Hold baby face-down along your forearm — head lower than chest, supporting the head.2
Give 5 firm back blows between shoulder blades with the heel of your hand.3
Turn baby over. Give 5 chest thrusts — 2 fingers on centre of chest, just below nipple line.4
Check mouth — remove object only if you can clearly see it. No blind finger sweeps.5
If still choking, call 999 and start infant CPR.⚠️ Never do abdominal thrusts on babies under 1 year — chest thrusts only.
💓 Infant CPR — Unresponsive Baby
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Check response: shout and tap sole of foot. Never shake.2
Call 999 — speakerphone so operator guides you.3
Open airway: gentle head tilt to neutral position, lift chin.4
5 rescue breaths: cover mouth AND nose. Gentle puff — just enough to raise chest. 1 second each.5
30 chest compressions: 2 fingers, centre of chest, one-third depth, 100–120/min.6
Repeat 30:2 until emergency services arrive.
🌡️ Fever Emergency — When to Call 999
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Any fever (38°C+) in a baby under 3 months — call 999 or go to A&E immediately.!
Non-blanching rash — press a glass to it. If it does not fade, call 999 immediately (possible meningitis).!
Floppy, very difficult to wake, or unusually unresponsive — call 999.!
Febrile seizure (fit) — especially a first episode, or lasting more than 5 minutes — call 999.111
Fever 3–6 months (38°C+), not settling after paracetamol, or you are worried — call 111.Science-backed fact: Fever itself does not cause brain damage. Febrile seizures are frightening but rarely harmful. Temperature does not predict seizure risk.
🧠 Meningitis — Signs to Know
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Non-fading rash — purple/red spots that do not fade when pressed with a glass. Call 999.!
Bulging fontanelle (soft spot on top of head) when baby is calm and upright.!
Stiff neck — baby cannot touch chin to chest (less reliable in babies).!
Sensitivity to light — baby turns away from light, eyes appear painful in bright conditions.!
High-pitched unusual cry, very pale or mottled skin, cold hands and feet with fever.!
Extremely difficult to wake — not just very sleepy, but unrousable.⚠️ If you see a non-fading rash, call 999 immediately. The rash may appear late — act on other signs too.
⚗️ Suspected Poisoning
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Do NOT induce vomiting — this can cause more harm with some substances (e.g. acids, alkalis).2
Call 999 or 111 immediately. Tell them what was swallowed and how much.3
Keep the packaging — show medical staff the product or plant involved.4
Keep baby still and calm. Do not give food, milk, or water unless instructed by 999.!
Button batteries: if swallowed — go to A&E immediately. Can cause serious internal burns within hours.Prevention: Dishwasher pods, laundry pods, and iron tablets are the most common childhood poisoning risks. Lock away in childproof cabinets.
⚡ Febrile Seizure (Fit)
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Stay calm. Most febrile seizures last less than 5 minutes and stop on their own.2
Call 999 if: first seizure, lasting over 5 minutes, child not recovering, or breathing abnormal.3
Protect from injury — cushion head, clear the area. Do not restrain the child.4
Do not put anything in the mouth — including fingers. Children do not swallow their tongues.5
Recovery position: once jerking stops, turn child onto their side and keep airway clear.6
Note the time — duration matters. Even if child recovers, seek medical assessment after first febrile seizure.✅ Reassurance: Febrile seizures are common (2–4% of children), rarely last long, and do not cause brain damage. They are frightening but not dangerous in themselves.