Fasting is an essential safety step to reduce the chance of the stomach being full of food during the anaesthetic. When the stomach is full there is a chance that it can enter the lungs if the patient vomits. This can be very dangerous.
Fasting infants and children can be stressful and difficult. To minimise distress and maximise safety, please adhere to the following guidelines.
These instructions only apply to my own practice and other anaesthetists may have guidelines that are different.
If you have any concerns or queries, please contact me prior to your procedure.
MORNING LIST
Child less than six months old:
AFTERNOON LIST
Child less than six months old:
Fasting infants and children can be stressful and difficult. To minimise distress and maximise safety, please adhere to the following guidelines.
These instructions only apply to my own practice and other anaesthetists may have guidelines that are different.
If you have any concerns or queries, please contact me prior to your procedure.
MORNING LIST
Child less than six months old:
- The last breast feed must finish at 5 AM.
- Formula or cow’s milk feed must finish at 4 AM.
- Last food or milk must finish at midnight.
- Please offer clear fluids* up to 6 AM.
- “Clear fluids" include water, clear cordial, and clear apple juice. You should be able to read newspaper print through a glass of clear fluid.
AFTERNOON LIST
Child less than six months old:
- The last breast feed must finish at 10 AM.
- Formula or cow’s milk feed must finish at 9 AM.
- Last food or milk must finish at 6 AM.
- Please offer clear fluids* up to 11 AM.
- “Clear fluids" include water, clear cordial, and clear apple juice. You should be able to read newspaper print through a glass of clear fluid.