What does fasting or NPO mean and why is it important?
Fasting or NPO is a period when your child does not have anything to eat or drink to ensure the stomach is empty before a planned surgery. There is a risk of stomach contents being brought up into the lungs while under general anesthesia. If the guidelines are not followed, the surgery or procedure will be cancelled and rescheduled.
What are the NPO guidelines?
You will be told before the day of surgery what time your child’s surgery will be and when to have your child stop eating or drinking. The health-care team may advise your child to be admitted to the hospital before the surgery if they feel additional monitoring is required while fasting.
If your child takes prescription medicine, ask your child's health-care provider when and how to give the medicine before surgery.
It is recommended that patients continue to drink clear fluids up until three hours before their procedure. The clear fluid should contain glucose to prevent the risk of a hypoglycemic event (i.e., clear apple juice, ginger ale). Additionally, Pedialyte can be substituted for a child that will only take water as a clear fluid. Note: Jell-O is not considered a clear fluid and must be stopped by midnight before the day of the procedure.
| Time | What your child can eat and drink |
|---|---|
| Midnight before the operation day. (For example: If your child is going for operation on Tuesday morning, your child cannot have any solid foods after midnight on Monday night) |
Stop giving your child solid food, including gum, candy, Jell-O, pudding and orange juice. Your child must not eat anything until they wake up from the anesthetic. |
| 6 hours before surgery | Stop giving your child formula or milk. This includes tube feedings. |
| 4 hours before surgery | Stop giving your baby breast milk. |
| 3 hours before surgery | Stop giving clear fluids. |
