Preparing for surgery (fasting)

At the Queensland Children’s Hospital, we perform thousands of surgeries and procedures safely each year on children and young people. To reduce the potential risks as much as possible, your child or young person will need to fast before their surgery or procedure.

Why does my child have to stop eating and drinking before surgery?

If there is food or liquid in your child’s stomach when it is time to have an anaesthetic, it could come back up and then enter their lungs as they go off to sleep. This can cause serious damage. We appreciate it is hard for a child to stop eating and drinking before their procedure, but it is very important for their safety that you follow the fasting instructions you are given. If your child has not fasted properly, their procedure may be delayed to later in the day, or to another day.

Why are fasting times different for food and drink?

Clear fluids pass through the stomach faster than food, so they can be safely given closer to the time of the operation or procedure.

What clear fluids can my child drink?

The clear fluids we recommend are:

• Water
• Clear (pulp-free) fruit juices and cordials – i.e. apple juice
• Non-carbonated drinks – i.e. Powerade, Gatorade
• Ready-to-mix sugar and electrolyte powders – i.e. SOS, Poly-Joule, Carb Plus, Hydralyte.

Please do not give your child any other types of drinks.

When should my child stop eating and drinking before their surgery or procedure?

Following the fasting instructions will not only ensure your child is safe to have an anaesthetic (go to sleep) for the procedure, but it will also help to reduce the time they need to fast.

For babies (six months and under)

On the date of surgery:

Six hours before the procedure time—If your baby is awake six hours before the procedure time, they can have food and drink. No further food can be given after this time.

Four hours before the procedure time—Please wake your baby for a formula or breastfeed four hours before the procedure time. Do not add thickeners. This will be your baby’s last milk feed before surgery.

Until the time you arrive at the admission location—You can offer your baby clear fluids until the time you arrive at the admission location.

Your baby must not eat or drink anything else after you arrive at the admission location, unless this has been allowed by the nursing or medical staff.

For children and for babies (older than six months)

On the date of surgery:

Six hours before the *procedure time—If your baby or child is awake six hours before the procedure time, they can have food, formula and drink. No further food can be given after this time.

Please note:

• Lollies are considered food.
• Chewing gum may be swallowed accidentally, and is considered a food.
• Thickeners and jellies are considered food.

Four hours before the *procedure time—Please wake your baby or child for a breastfeed four hours before the procedure time. Do not add thickeners. This will be their last milk feed before surgery.

Until the time you arrive at the admission location—You can continue to offer your baby or child clear fluids until the time you arrive at the admission location.

Your baby or child must not eat or drink anything else after you arrive at the admission location, unless this has been allowed by the nursing or medical staff.

Can my child take medication while fasting?

Please continue your child’s usual medications, including those that normally would be taken on the day of surgery, unless told otherwise by a doctor or nurse. Take liquid medicines as usual and tablets can be taken with a sip of water or other clear fluid when fasting.

When you come to hospital, please bring a list of medications your child has recently been taking, including herbal medicines and supplements.

If your child is having ear, nose, throat or eye surgery, please do not give your child Nurofen®/ibuprofen in the 72 hours before their surgery.

Please stop taking all fish oils and garlic supplements at least one week before surgery.

Your surgical team will provide you with information specific to aspirin if your child takes this regularly.

Developed by the Anaesthetics Department, Queensland Children’s Hospital. We acknowledge the input of consumers and carers.

Resource ID: FS106. Reviewed: May 2023.

Disclaimer: This information has been produced by healthcare professionals as a guideline only and is intended to support, not replace, discussion with your child’s doctor or healthcare professionals. Information is updated regularly, so please check you are referring to the most recent version. Seek medical advice, as appropriate, for concerns regarding your child’s health.