Fasting | Surgery and Anaesthesia Handbook
If your child does not fast correctly, their surgery may be delayed or cancelled.
Always follow the instructions given by your doctor, anaesthetist or health professional.
Fasting means not eating or drinking for a certain period before surgery. This is an important safety step when preparing for anaesthesia.
If your child has food or excess liquid in their stomach during anaesthesia, it can enter the lungs and cause serious complications, like a chest infection.
Fasting instructions can vary based on:
- The type of surgery
- The hospital where the procedure is done
Fasting at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead
General fasting rules before surgery:
- No food or milk (including formula milk) within 6 hours before
- No breastmilk within 4 hours before
- No water or clear juice within 2 hours before
Always follow the fasting instructions given by your doctor, anaesthetist or health professional.
If you have not been told your fasting instructions/times or have questions, please contact our Day Surgery Unit (Middleton Ward):
- Day (7am-4pm): (02) 7825 2211
- Evening (4pm-8pm): (02) 7825 2217
Fasting at Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick
General fasting rules before surgery:
- No food or milk (including formula milk) within 6 hours before
- No breastmilk within 4 hours before
- Small amounts of water or approved clear liquids are permitted every hour until surgery under the ‘Sip Til Send’ program (see details below).
Always follow the fasting instructions given by your doctor, anaesthetist or health professional.
If you have not been told your fasting instructions/times or have questions, please contact our Short Stay Surgical Unit on (02) 9382 1399.
Sip Til Send
The Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, allows children and young people small amounts, or sips, of water or approved clear liquids every hour until their surgery.
Children can sip up to 3 millilitres for every kilogram they weigh, hourly until they are called to theatre.
Approved clear liquids include:
- Water
- Clear apple juice
- Lemonade ice block
- Hydralyte®
- Glucose 5% solution
Children are encouraged to ‘Sip Til Send’ but not forced to do so if they aren't feeling well.
Children who are unable to drink by mouth for medical or surgical reasons can moisten their mouth and lips with water.