**Nurse Mum Warns of Dangers After Saving Her Own Baby from Silent Choking Incident**
A Cardiff mother and paediatric nurse is urging fellow parents to get first-aid training after she was left shaken by a terrifying ordeal in which her baby daughter nearly lost her life. Daniela Harkin-Yarwood, 28, credits her medical knowledge with saving her child, but says even her experience as a nurse could not keep panic at bay during those crucial moments.
The drama unfolded at their family home in Penylan after a routine walk. Baby Thea had dozed off in her pram and Daniela, working just a few feet away with the door open, initially thought all was well. When Thea coughed—having recently battled a mild illness—Daniela expected her to soon wake, but an unusual silence followed. Trusting her instincts, Daniela went to check on her daughter and discovered a scene that no parent ever wants to see.
Thea lay motionless but awake; her eyes wide, neck veins pronounced, and a worrying bluish tinge emerging around her lips. “There was nothing in her pram to choke on, but I could see straight away she was in trouble,” Daniela recounted. Acting on her training, she delivered three firm back blows. Fortunately, the obstruction—a mass of phlegm—dislodged, and Thea gasped for air and began to sob.
Daniela, relief flooding over her, was soon in tears as well. “Despite my background in paediatric nursing, my first reaction was panic. I even forgot to ring 999, which should always be your first move in a choking emergency because every second really does count,” she admitted. “It made me think—if I, with my knowledge and training, could react this way, how terrifying must it be for someone without any medical preparation?”
Reflection in the aftermath made Daniela realise how close she had come to a tragedy. “If I hadn’t known what to do, the outcome could have been very different,” she said. The incident galvanised her to begin offering first-aid classes specifically aimed at new parents, determined that others should never face the helplessness of not knowing how to act.
Daniela has made it her mission to keep her training sessions as affordable as possible, funding the endeavour through her workplace training business when she can. She argues that first-aid instruction for parents should be standard, not an optional extra. “It’s outrageous that as part of going through pregnancy and preparing for a new baby, something so essential isn’t routinely covered, or even suggested,” she said.
Her courses prioritise not only CPR but also the often-overlooked topic of how to respond to choking—a condition that remains surprisingly misunderstood. According to Daniela, around 80% of parents are unsure what action to take if their child starts choking, often believing that it will always be accompanied by coughing or noisy distress. “In reality, choking can happen in total silence, which is why it’s so important never to leave young children unattended when they are eating,” she warned.
The value of her work was underscored this week when a grateful parent reached out. The mum, whose baby had recently choked in a manner alarmingly similar to Thea’s, told Daniela that thanks to skills learned on her course, her husband was able to recognise the signs and act swiftly—saving their child’s life. “Although it’s terrible they had to go through that, knowing my teaching helped them makes everything worthwhile. It’s a skill you may never use, but you’ll never regret learning it.”
For parents across Wales, resources are available, with Public Health Wales providing a comprehensive guide for every new family. Pages 63-75 of the ‘Every Child’ booklet offer clear first-aid guidance, including what to do in cases of choking or if a child becomes unresponsive. Meanwhile, the Welsh Government’s Teulu campaign continues to raise awareness with easily accessible advice for new parents.
Daniela’s passion and personal experience serve as a powerful reminder: learning basic first-aid is a simple step that could prove life-saving. She urges every parent and carer to seek out training—because, as she knows firsthand, the difference it can make is measured in seconds.