Former Paramedic Shares Disturbing Footage of Baby Choking on Dummy in Cot

An ex-paramedic with kids of her own has shared confronting footage of a seven-month-old baby choking on a dummy alone in its cot with nobody around.

The disturbing footage, captured on a nanny-cam, shows the baby struggling to breathe and flailing its arms and legs as the pacifier becomes lodged in its throat. Fortunately, the baby manages to cough it out eventually.

Former paramedic Nikki Jurcutz, who spent eight years working with Ambulance Victoria, is now using this footage as a warning for other parents. Together with her sister, she runs Tiny Hearts Education, which provides baby first aid training courses to educate parents on how to respond to emergency situations.

Ms Jurcutz initially hesitated to share the graphic video, but was prompted by her own personal reflection on how she would ensure the safety of her own baby, who also uses a pacifier. Hoping to raise awareness and trigger discussions, she decided to share the footage with a "massive trigger warning" on social media.

Since sharing the video, Ms Jurcutz has provided further information on dummy safety. She investigated the safety regulations imposed by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and highlighted key requirements, including the need for ventilation holes in the pacifier shield, a secure ring or handle, smooth surfaces, and appropriate sizing.

By sharing vital safety tips and warnings on Tiny Hearts Education's Instagram, Ms Jurcutz aims to help parents avoid similar incidents. The ACCC regulations, which are designed to minimize the risk of choking, require all dummies sold in Australia to meet these safety requirements.

Parents are urged to check that their baby's dummy meets the necessary guidelines to ensure the safety and well-being of their child. Pacifiers must have proper ventilation, a secure attachment, be free from sharp edges, and be an appropriate size to prevent them from fitting entirely into a baby's mouth.

It is crucial for parents to stay informed about potential safety hazards and take necessary precautions when using dummies. By raising awareness through this distressing video, Ms Jurcutz hopes to prevent any tragic incidents and protect the well-being of infants.