• Video
  • Shop
  • Culture
  • Family
  • Wellness
  • Food
  • Living
  • Style
  • Travel
  • News
  • Book Club
  • GMA3: WYNTK
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • Terms of Use
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Contact Us
  • © 2025 ABC News
  • Family

How 1 mom's Instagram video saved another's child from choking

4:11
How to prevent your baby from choking
ABCNews.com
ByGenevieve Shaw Brown and Good Morning America
January 27, 2020, 3:13 PM

Say what you want about social media, but it from time to time, it saves lives.

Such was the case when Shelby Dunnam realized her daughter was choking.

"I look over and her face was turning blue and she was trying to gasp for air but she couldn't. She looked frantic. So in that moment, I completely panicked," Dunnam told "Good Morning America. "

But she said suddenly, "I realized I knew what to do," thanks to a video on Instagram from ER nurse Shannon Tripp.

Related Articles

MORE: Social media divided on hospital sign about using phones around babies

Tripp -- a pediatric nurse and mom of four -- had to save her own son, Jack, when he was just 9 months old and choked on a piece of hard candy he had accidentally gotten a hold of. Tripp gave him back blow after back blow until finally, the peppermint came shooting out.

"I thought to myself, 'What if a mom hadn't known what to do?' I would have lost my son," Tripp told "Good Morning America."

That night, she recorded a video to teach other moms what to do if that happened to them. She now regularly shares medical tips on her Instagram account. That video was eventually seen by Dunnam and 500,00 other people.

Related Articles

MORE: Little girl channels favorite Chiefs player and the Super Bowl has never been this cute

"I dropped her on the ground and I did exactly what Shannon's demonstration says to do," Dunnam said. "And within seconds it was out and she was fine. And we both just cried and I was so thankful. It was 100% because of Shannon's highlight," Dunnam said.

Signs of choking

Dr. Jennifer Ashton said the first sign is bluish discoloration around the lips. "That is a critical sign that they are not getting enough oxygen," she told "GMA."

Other signs: chest and ribs are pulling inward; unresponsive or unconscious; and an inability to cry.

Ashton gave an overview CPR lesson that can be viewed here, but she encourages all parents to learn for themselves, saying, "It could save a life."

Up Next in Family—

Is it so bad to let kids 'rot' all summer? Why boredom might be the break they need

June 20, 2025

Mother meets boy who received late son's heart in emotional wedding moment

June 20, 2025

Bruce Willis' wife Emma Heming says she feels 'profoundly sad' on Father's Day

June 15, 2025

Over 18,000 Bugaboo high chairs voluntarily recalled due to potential fall hazard

June 13, 2025

Shop GMA Favorites

ABC will receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Sponsored Content by Taboola

The latest lifestyle and entertainment news and inspiration for how to live your best life - all from Good Morning America.
  • Contests
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Children’s Online Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • About Nielsen Measurement
  • Press
  • Feedback
  • Shop FAQs
  • ABC News
  • ABC
  • All Videos
  • All Topics
  • Sitemap

© 2025 ABC News
  • Privacy Policy— 
  • Your US State Privacy Rights— 
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy— 
  • Interest-Based Ads— 
  • Terms of Use— 
  • Do Not Sell My Info— 
  • Contact Us— 

© 2025 ABC News