CPR/ Heimlich Saved my Daughter's Life... twice!!

I can't stress enough the importance of being trained in infant and toddler CPR and Heimlich maneuver. I took the mandatory class just to bring home the baby monitor when A was a newborn and having her breathing issues. The monitor didn't do much but the Heimlich has literally saved her life, twice now.

The first time was around Christmas and there were some nuts on the countertop. I didn't know A had gotten into the nuts until she began choking! When I saw the look on her face and heard the absence of any sound I didn't even think before rushing in to tilt her upside down on my arm and administer the back blows. I did this several times and now realize I was simultaneously screaming out! It was actually more of a roaring from the deepest recesses within me as I pounded my child's back. Finally, the chews nuts came up into her mouth only for her to draw in a deep breathe inhaling some nut grounds again. It seemed like an eternity before I had every last bit of ground nuts out of her mouth. Of course she was crying and very upset and that's when I began shaking and sweating too.

Last Sunday evening I was enjoying some popcorn with A while watching a Disney. Snugged in blankets and pillows on the floor munching away on popcorn in the dark I suddenly saw that same panicked look on A's face! Immediately I launched into the same routine. As I was administering back blows to an upside down child I was also making my way to the phone. My hand was on the phone to dial 911 when she began to throw up. Thank GOD!!!

If anybody would have told me to do any sort of rescue maneuver on my own child I would have been sure to say I didn't know how or couldn't remember. I amazed myself as I've twice now launched into "choking toddler" mode like a pro. I'm still really amazed that without missing a beat or even thinking I was able to successfully administer the Heimlich. I still look back and sort of laugh at the voice that came out of me simultaneously as if I were some warrior mother! I really amazed myself and gave myself a giant boost in confidence because I've seen first hand now that in an emergency I will just instinctively know what to do to save my child and nothing will stop me. I'm so thankful for all of the mothers that have gone before me, mothers of settlers, mothers of the Great Depression, the mother of Jesus Christ, Mary. All of these women are among the most powerful souls to ever exist on Earth and they used their powers to overcome anything to raise their children. It is this innate strength that my "foremothers" had which now lives in me and I can't thank enough the mothers who have gone before me who strengthen and pass on to the next generation.

I would really like to find a way to raise awareness about the risk of choking in toddlers. I'm thinking I might like to provide CPR/Heimlich training to the young ladies at my church. It might be expensive but if it saves just one life its money well spent!

Thank you Fairfax hospital for your mandatory emergency training! You saved my daughter three times now!