Getting Ready for Outpatient Surgery

Eating and Drinking Instructions

Infants
• If your child is under 12 months of age, he or she should not eat any solid food after midnight. Your infant may have milk or formula 4½ hours prior to your admission time.
• Breast feeding may occur up to 2½ hours prior to your admission time.
• Clear liquids such as water, Pedialyte™ and Apple Juice may be given 1½ hours prior to your admission time.
• Please let the surgery nurse know if you add cereal to your child’s formula/milk.

Children Over 12 Months
• Absolutely no food, gum, candy or milk products after midnight prior to surgery.
• Your child may have clear liquids — Water, Apple Juice, Pedialyte™ or Gatorade™ — two hours prior to your admission time.
• Please let the surgery nurse know if you add cereal and/or “Thick It” to your child’s liquids.

Your child’s surgery may be rescheduled for another day if he or she eats or drinks after these times.