A scary moment

I made an assumption without reading the package and it could have cost Kevin his life. I'm an ass. I thought that the Gerber Graduates Wagon Wheels were the same consistency as the Puffs in that they dissolve in the mouth. I was wrong. They don't. And I learned the scary way tonight. I've been breaking these up into small pieces for Kevin because he loves them (and if they're not broken up, he'll shove the whole thing in his mouth). I'd put a few pieces on his tray and watch him feed himself. Tonight, he managed to pick up a couple at once and shoved them in while, at the same time, babbling to himself. I no sooner said, "Kevin, don't talk with your mouth full or you're going to choke" when it happened. He stopped waving his arms around and had his mouth open and his eyes wide. Not a sound was coming from him. I was sitting right in front of him, thank God. His face started turning red...

Let me digress for a moment...the proper way to do the Heimlich on an infant is this (I do not want to give misinformation). I am a RN and am trained in CPR and the Heimlich on adults, infants and children. I am very confident in my ability and have done it numerous times. However, I knew while taking the classes that I'd never be able to do the 1st choice method of the Heimlich on an infant unless it was a very small/young infant because I am tiny. I had trouble holding the doll properly in the class because my arms are too short for holding a child in this position.

Kevin was in his high chair so I chose the 2nd method, albeit while he was sitting up. It took 2 thrusts and he coughed out the offending piece. Needless to say, the Wagon Wheels are off his diet for a little while longer. Lesson learned.

If you haven't taken a CPR/Heimlich Maneuver class, take my advice and learn them. Especially if you have a child. It is time well invested because it only takes a few moments to lose your child forever.