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Fasting instructions for children

  • It is important that you follow these fasting instructions. If you do not your child’s operation will be cancelled.

    Please supervise your child during the required fasting period to ensure that they do not eat or drink anything that is not permitted as children do find fasting to be difficult when they’re hungry.

If your child has been told not to eat or drink before an operation at Moorfields [“Nil by mouth”], here is what is meant:

Morning operation

On the day of the operation:

  • Your child may eat and drink normally until 2:30 a.m.
  • Your child may also drink cow's milk (or formula milk) until 2:30 a.m.
  • If you are breast-feeding, you may continue to breast feed your baby until 4:30 a.m.
  • Your child should not eat sweets or chewing gum anytime that day.
  • Your child may continue to drink still water until 07.30, then nothing to drink after this time.
Cartoon image of a child’s face in a hospital bed with their hand over their mouth to stop them eating the plate of food in front of them

Afternoon operation

On the day of the operation:

  • Your child may eat and drink normally until 7:30 a.m.
  • Your child may also drink cow's milk (or formula milk) until 7:30 a.m.
  • Please encourage your child to eat a light breakfast (e.g. toast or cereal) before 7:30 a.m.
  • If you are breast-feeding your child, you may continue to breast feed until 9:30 a.m.
  • Your child should not eat sweets or chewing gum anytime that day. 
  • Your child may continue to drink still water until 12.30 then nothing to drink after this time. 

Why does my child need to fast?

It is essential that your child follows the fasting instructions. Food can take many hours to digest in the stomach. The chance of being sick during the operation is much higher if there is food in the stomach. This can be very dangerous as the food can enter the lungs and cause severe pneumonia.

Why is it ok for my child to drink water?

Still water can safely be drunk until 1 hour before surgery. We ask you to continue to give water until you arrive at the hospital to prevent your child becoming dehydrated.