Mother’s Swift Action Saves Baby from Choking Incident

A mother’s quick instincts in the dead of night may have averted a catastrophe after she woke to her baby struggling to breathe. Casey Clute, living in upstate New York, shared footage from a Nest camera, revealing the tense moments her 4-month-old daughter, Madilyn, began choking after spitting up during sleep.

Casey, 34, recounted the event to Newsweek, noting it occurred around 12:30 a.m. “I’m a highly cautious parent, always fearing something might happen to my kids,” she confessed. “At first, I couldn’t tell if the noise was real or my mind tricking me.” With her husband Joshua, 30, away at work, Casey knew she couldn’t ignore her instincts. The couple also has a 3-year-old daughter, Charlotte.

“Something told me to wake up,” Casey said. “I opened my eyes, heard Madilyn gasping, and quickly sprang into action.”

The shared TikTok clip (@mama_casey02) captures Casey swiftly lifting Madilyn by the armpit, realizing her daughter was choking. Thankfully, Casey had attended multiple CPR classes, enabling her to respond effectively.

“I placed her face down on my chest and gently patted her back until she expelled the spit-up,” Casey explained. The experience underscored the importance of maternal instincts during emergencies.

After Madilyn resumed normal breathing, Casey thoroughly inspected the sleeping area. “I found two stuffed animals my toddler had thrown in, and promptly removed them since they pose a risk for such a young baby,” she stated.

A 2019 study published in Pediatrics highlighted infant suffocation deaths reported to the U.S. Sudden Unexpected Infant Death Case Registry, identifying soft bedding as the leading cause, responsible for 69% of such cases. Researchers determined that safer sleep settings could reduce these tragedies.

The American Academy of Pediatrics advises placing babies on their backs on firm, flat, non-inclined surfaces for every sleep. Parents should keep the crib free of pillows, blankets, and stuffed animals to avoid obstructing airways.

Though the immediate risk was eliminated, gaining rest after the ordeal proved challenging for Casey. “It was terrifying, but I am thankful I heard her and could prevent a potential tragedy,” she said.

This episode persuaded Casey to rethink her planned arrangements. With her maternity leave ending soon, she and Joshua considered moving Madilyn to her own room or sharing one with her sister since Casey needs to rise early for work. Now, Casey has decided against this.

“This event taught me that situations can change instantly regardless of preparation,” Casey said. “Had she been in a separate room, the outcome could have been dire. To be extra cautious, she’ll stay in our bedroom from now on.”