Postoperative resumption of oral intake in healthy children
General recommendations
- Oral fluids can be offered to healthy children when they are fully awake following anaesthesia, providing there are no medical, surgical or nursing contraindications. [A]
- Clinicians should consider giving clear fluids or breast milk before introducing other oral intake. [D(GPP)]
- Children undergoing day surgery should not be required to drink as part of the discharge criteria. [A]
For further information about the grade A and D classifications, go to the Grading scheme.