Instructions for Not Eating or Feeding Your Child Before Surgery
(NPO-Nothing by Mouth)
Your child has been scheduled for surgery at William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak. It is most important that your child have an empty stomach when given an anesthetic. This will reduce the danger of vomiting and inhaling stomach contents into the lungs while asleep. You must follow these instructions or your child’s surgery will be cancelled.
IF YOUR CHILD IS A NEWBORN TO 2 YEARS OLD
- Your child must not be fed any solid food (this includes cereal, formula, and breast milk) after midnight the evening before the day of surgery, no matter what time the surgery is scheduled.
- Your child may be given Pedialyte up to four hours prior to your child’s surgery time.
IF YOUR CHILD IS 2-11 YEARS OLD
- Your child must not be fed any solid food after midnight the evening before the day of surgery, no matter what time the surgery is scheduled. Solid food includes such things as gum, candy, and mints.
- Your child may be given Gatorade or water up to four hours prior to your child’s scheduled surgery time.
IF YOUR CHILD IS 12 YEARS OLD OR OLDER
- Your child must not be fed any solid food after midnight the evening before the day of surgery, no matter what time the surgery is scheduled. Solid food includes such things as gum, candy, and mints.
- Your child may have water up to six hours prior to your child’s scheduled surgery time.
If your child must take medication by mouth for a medical condition during the period when no food or drink is allowed before surgery, please give medication at its scheduled time with a sip of water (no more than 2 teaspoons).
It is the recommendation of Dr. Kass and anesthesia that you do not send your child to school on the day of surgery. It is very important that eating restrictions are followed and children are monitored.
DO NOT GIVE YOUR CHILD ASPIRIN, MOTRIN, ADVIL OR OTHER ANTI-INFLAMMATORY MEDICATIONS FOR SEVEN DAYS PRIOR TO SURGERY.