Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.
1
Is any of this happening now?
Call 911
A change from the child’s usual pattern also deserves assessment, even if it does not seem like an emergency.
Seek emergency help if your child:
Has blue, grey, or very pale lips or skin
Stops breathing or has repeated breathing pauses
Is struggling for each breath or has marked chest pulling
Cannot drink because of breathing difficulty
Becomes unusually drowsy, floppy, or difficult to wake
Has a severe choking episode or suddenly cannot move air
If you have been given an individual emergency plan, follow it while arranging help.
Other emergency signs, for anyone
Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
2
Is any of this happening?
Be seen today
Contact the child’s medical team promptly if breathing is becoming more difficult, feeding is repeatedly interrupted by coughing or breathlessness, or a respiratory infection is not following the expected recovery pattern.
3
Does any of this apply?
Book an appointment
Arrange routine medical review if your child has ongoing noisy breathing, a persistent barking cough, repeated chest infections, feeding-related coughing, or poor weight gain.
Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Tracheomalacia - congenital. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.