Why shouldn't your child eat or drink before their anesthetic?

When your child receives an anesthetic it is very important that their stomach is empty so that they are safe. This is so that they don't vomit and choke when the anesthetic is starting. If there is food in their stomach before the anesthetic, the food could make its way into your child's lungs while they are under anesthetic, and your child could get pneumonia.

This is why we need your child's stomach to be as empty as possible before their anesthetic. We understand that a hungry child can be upset and frustrated, and we know that it is really hard for a parent to let their child be hungry. However, we need your help to ensure that your child is as safe as possible when they get the anesthetic.

As a reminder, here are the guidelines we need you to follow before your child's anesthetic:

• Your child may eat or drink anything they want until midnight the night before their procedure.
• If your child drinks formula or has tube feeds these must stop 6 hours before your arrival at BC Children's Hospital.
• If your child drinks breast milk they may have plain breast milk until 4 hours before your arrival at BC Children's Hospital.
• Your child should continue to have clear fluids, which are fluids you can see clearly through (for example water or clear apple juice) until 1 hour before your arrival. After that, nothing to eat or drink please!

If you have any questions or concerns about these instructions, please call our Anesthetic Care Unit at 604-875-2191.

We look forward to seeing you soon, and thank you for your help with this very important safety matter!

Find out as much as you can about the surgery or procedure. If you know what to expect, you will be able to better help your child.

• Be honest with your child about what will happen. Children can tell when you are not being truthful.
• Talk to your child. Tell your child why the surgery or procedure is necessary. For example, “The doctor knows a way to stop the earaches. She is going to put little tubes in your ears. We won’t be able to see them, but they will help you hear better and take the ache out of your ears."
• Find out what your child already knows. Ask your child to tell you what they already know or fear. "What is an operation?" "Do you know how they do it?" Sometimes playing with dolls, medical toys and masks or drawing pictures is easier for children to understand than explaining.
• Have a discussion with your child. Check out the Welcome to Procedures at BC Children's Hospital (PDF) picture book with your child to help prepare for the day of the surgery or procedure. Discuss with your child what the hard parts of the surgery or procedure may be. Knowing what to expect can help you support your child.

These plans work best if you go over them a few times before the day. Children younger than four years old do better with a shorter preparation. Use a calm, soothing voice to reassure your child.