Fasting guidelines

<12 months

• Clear fluid* 2hrs prior/ Breast milk 4hrs/ Food 6hrs

>12 months

• Clear fluid *2hrs prior/ Breast milk 6hrs/ Food 6hrs

AM list

• Clear fluid* until 6am/ Food or milk until 2am

PM list

• Clear fluid until 11am/ Breakfast before 7am
  

*Clear fluid is anything you can see through which isn’t cloudy! E.g. apple juice, water and lemonade (not coke or milk)

How your child goes to sleep

Most children go to sleep with gas delivered though a mask attached to a balloon. Some children prefer a needle, inserted after numbing cream is applied. 

If your child is anxious, they may benefit from a sedative before they come in to the operating room. Most parents will be offered the opportunity to be with their child whilst they go to sleep.

Waking up and going home

As soon as your child wakes up, we will call you to be with them.

Once your child has had a drink and a snack and any pain is controlled, they can go home.

Parent information brochure