A MUM has shared a horrifying video of her baby boy choking on a dummy so other parents are aware of the potential dangers.
Nikki Jurcutz, founder of child first aiders Tiny Hearts Education, said she had never considered the risks associated with the device before seeing this distressing reel.
Dummies are generally safe to use once breastfeeding has begun
An expert has warned parents of the choking risk associated with dummies Credit: Tiny Hearts Education
In the short clip, the baby can be seen flailing around in a cot on their back, while choking on a dummy which has fallen into his mouth.
Towards the end of the video, the little boy managed to cough the dummy out onto the bed next to him.
“I wasn’t going to share it but then I showed my husband and we began talking about what we would do to ensure our baby, who has a dummy, is safe,” the first aider said in a post on Instagram.
According to the mother, the child in the video is okay.
“This baby is only 7 months and the dummy fitted inside his mouth,” Nikki explained.
A baby is able to choke on a dummy is if the dummy is too small for them, parts are able to pop off or the dummy is old and has weakened resulting in pieces breaking off.
“New fear unlocked,” one mum commented on Nikki’s post.
“Oh my god that is so terrifying,” another echoed.
It comes as a teething and dummy set for babies and toddlers was recalled over fears small parts could break off and cause a child to choke or suffocate.
Warnings were issued in August parents about the Bop Bop Baby Lion Teether and Pacifier Set and the Bop Bop Rainbow Teether and Pacifier Set.
Both products are sold by TK Maxx and Homesense stores.
Is your child’s dummy safe?
Dummies are generally safe to use once breastfeeding has begun, according to the National Childbirth Trust.
Sucking is a powerful reflex that babies have in the weeks after they’re born. And sucking on a dummy can satisfy that sucking instinct.
Some evidence has shown they can even reduce the risk of cot death – which is when a baby dies for no apparent reason.
However, dummies can still pose a chocking hazard.
This is because dummies are susceptible to wear and tear and if parts become loose or break, it could become a hazardous to your child.
Nikki has compiled a list of dummy safety regulations for parents to follow:
According to the first aider, you should regularly check the teat of your child’s dummy for holes.
Holes in the teat of a dummy can lead to bacteria growth, which can cause an infection in your little one, she said.
You should also make sure the teat length is a maximum of 35mm to reduce the risk of gagging.
Parents should only buy dummies which have holes in the shield.
“These allow air to pass through if a child accidentally swallows it,” she explained.
“The shield should have at least two of these holes – and each hole should be at least 4mm in diameter,” she added.
The first aider said mums and dads should also make sure the shield is big enough to prevent it from fitting entirely in the baby’s mouth.
All stickers and labels should be removed from the device and the dummy must be free of sharp edges.
What to do if your child chokes
IF your child chokes, don’t panic and freeze immediately.
The NHS says if the child is coughing, encourage them to continue as they may be able to bring the object up. Don’t leave them alone while this is happening.
But if their coughing is silent, they can’t breathe properly or they don’t bring anything up, get help immediately.
Use back blows on your tot if they’re still conscious.
First aiders at St John Ambulance give the following advice based on the child’s age.
Baby
Slap it out:
Lay the baby face down along your thigh and support their head
Give five back blows between their shoulder blades
Turn them over and check their mouth each time
2. Squeeze it out:
Turn the baby over, face upwards, supported along your thigh
Put two fingers in the centre of their chest just below the nipple line; push downwards to give up to five sharp chest thrusts
Check the mouth each time
3. If the item does not dislodge, call 999 or 112 for emergency help
Take the baby with you to call
Repeat the steps 1 and 2 until help arrives
Start CPR if the baby becomes unresponsive (unconscious)
Child
1. Cough it out
Encourage the casualty to keep coughing, if they can
2. Slap it out
Lean them forwards, supporting them with one hand
Give five sharp back blows between the shoulder blades
Check their mouth each time but do not put your fingers in their mouth
3. Squeeze it out
Stand behind them with your arms around their waist, with one clenched fist between their belly button and the bottom of their chest
Grasp the fist in the other hand and pull sharply inwards and upwards, giving up to five abdominal thrusts
Check their mouth each time