When I was in my 3rd trimester Jon and I took a CPR class as I didn't ever want to be in a situation where my baby's life was hanging on the line and her ability to breathe was dependent on me...and I was at a loss as to what to do. So one Fall evening Jon and I spent a couple of hours learning infant CPR. A portion of that infant CPR, unfortunately, had to be used this past weekend. I have never been more grateful for being a paranoid first time parent! So, I am writing this blog to let all parents know the importance of CPR. Please please please, take this seriously. Choking in infants is the number one cause of death...so please do your due diligence to ensure you are prepared.

What happened? My mom, sister, Chloe and I were having lunch at a restaurant this past Saturday when Chloe choked on her Cheetos Corn Puff. This is was her favorite snack of all time! So she was sitting in her high chair next to me, chewing her snack while checking out this exciting new environment...she swallowed prematurely and choked on her corn puff. The corn puff completely blocked her airway, meaning she made not a single sound indicating she was choking - the process was 100% silent. I wouldn't have even known she was choking had I not been looking right at her. I watched her for a second to see if she would dislodge the object herself, when I realized she couldn't I immediately picked her up and placed her in the head down position to begin back blows. My mom realized her lips started to go blue within a few seconds of me doing the initial back blows, so I handed her over to my mom for help, in that time her face went blue...my mom continued back blows and then suddenly, from lack of oxygen, she went limp and passed out unconscious. I'm guessing that either her complete relaxation from passing out, or luck that dissolved the corn puff, either one - allowed the corn puff to shift and allow her to take her first breath, without having to initiate chest compressions. A very very scary situation that happened so quickly you could just blink an eye.

The event scared me enough to go back and revisit CPR. My worst nightmare would be this happening when I was along with Chloe. You never know when you will need to learn the maneuver of back blows or chest compressions...so please click here  if you need to revisit old skills. This can save a life.

Needless to say - Cheetos Corn Puffs no longer exist in our house...!

It's been a rough 3 weeks...we've dealt with our first round of Strep Throat, a cold that resulted in a horrible cough...choking...and now an allergic reaction to lavender! We will get through this!