Mother’s Quick Action Saves Baby from Choking

A mother’s swift response may have averted a tragedy after she awoke to her baby’s distress. Casey Clute from New York stumbled upon a terrifying moment when her 4-month-old daughter, Madilyn, began choking in her sleep after spitting up.

The incident occurred around 12:30 a.m. Casey, 34, had been concerned about her children’s safety, unsure if she truly heard her baby or her mind was tricking her. Alone while her husband Joshua, 30, was at work, she trusted her instincts.

‘Something told me to wake up,’ Casey recounted. Hearing Madilyn gasp for air, she quickly responded. A TikTok clip (@mama_casey02) shows Casey lifting Madilyn by her armpit, realizing she was choking. Having attended CPR classes, she acted swiftly: ‘I put her on my chest face down and started patting her back.’

After Madilyn resumed normal breathing, Casey inspected the sleep area. ‘I found two stuffed animals my toddler had thrown in there and removed them immediately,’ she stated.

“A 2019 Pediatrics study on infant suffocation found soft bedding responsible for 69% of cases. Researchers advocate for safer sleep settings to reduce incidents.”

The American Academy of Pediatrics advises placing babies on their backs on a firm, flat, non-inclined surface, free from pillows, blankets, stuffed animals, and other items that could obstruct the infant’s airway.

Though the immediate threat was gone, Casey struggled to find sleep. ‘It was scary, but I’m grateful I heard her and prevented a tragedy,’ she said.

As her maternity leave ends, Casey reconsidered moving Madilyn into her own room or with her sister. She decided to keep her in their bedroom. ‘This taught me anything can happen quickly. If she weren’t next to me, she might have choked to death,’ Casey explained.