Talk to your child honestly about the anaesthetic in words that suit their age, follow the fasting times exactly, and tell the anaesthetist about any recent cough, cold or snoring. Many hospitals let a parent stay until the child is asleep. Some children wake up upset or confused; this usually settles within a short time.
Preparing your child
Children usually cope better when they know what is going to happen. The Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne suggests being honest and using simple words, and not promising things you cannot control.
- Explain that a doctor will help them have a special sleep so they do not feel or see the procedure, and that you will be there when they wake up.
- For younger children, start talking about it a day or two before. Older children may want more time and more detail.
- Use books, play or the hospital’s own child-friendly resources.
- Pack a favourite toy, blanket or device for after the procedure.
- Be calm and positive. Children notice when adults are worried.
The Royal Children’s Hospital fact sheet Preparing your child for surgery has practical ideas for different ages.
What to tell the anaesthetist
- Any cough, cold, runny nose, fever or vomiting in the past few weeks
- Asthma, and how well it is controlled
- Snoring, pauses in breathing at night, or very large tonsils
- Any medicines, including inhalers and herbal products
- Allergies
- Loose teeth
- Previous anaesthetics, and any problems your child or a blood relative has had with anaesthesia
- Whether anyone smokes or vapes around your child
- Anything that helps your child cope, or that upsets them
Fasting for babies and children
Fasting times for children are shorter than for adults. These general times come from ANZCA’s guideline (PG07, fasting appendix revised June 2026). Your child’s hospital or anaesthetist will give you exact times, and theirs come first.
| What | Stop this long before the anaesthetic |
|---|---|
| Clear fluids, such as water or pulp-free apple juice | 1 hour |
| Breast milk | 3 hours |
| Formula, babies up to 12 months | 4 hours |
| Formula, children over 12 months | 6 hours |
| Food | 6 hours |
Do not stop clear fluids too early. Children who keep drinking water until the stop time are often more comfortable and less upset. Read more about fasting.
If your child is unwell
If your child has a cold, cough, fever, vomiting or diarrhoea in the days before the procedure, phone the hospital or practice before you travel. A recent chest infection can increase the risk of breathing problems during an anaesthetic, and it may be safer to wait.
On the day
A numbing cream may be put on your child’s hands so a needle hurts less. Children go to sleep in one of two ways:
- breathing anaesthetic gas through a soft mask, with the drip put in once they are asleep, or
- an injection through a drip, often after numbing cream.
Many hospitals let one parent or carer stay until the child is asleep. As children fall asleep they may go floppy, their eyes may roll, or their breathing may sound noisy. This is normal and expected. A staff member will then take you out, and the anaesthetist stays with your child throughout.
Waking up
You will usually be called to the recovery area as soon as it is safe. Some children wake up upset, restless or confused and may not recognise you straight away. This is called emergence delirium. It usually settles within a short time. The Royal Children’s Hospital has a fact sheet on emergence delirium.
At home
- Plan a quiet day. Your child may be sleepy, clumsy or grumpy.
- Offer drinks first, then light food when they feel like it.
- Give pain relief as advised by the hospital or practice.
- Supervise your child closely for the rest of the day, including in the bath and on play equipment.
- In the car, an adult other than the driver should sit with a young child if possible.
Call 000 if your child has trouble breathing, is very hard to wake, has a seizure or is bleeding heavily. For other concerns, contact the hospital or practice, or call healthdirect on 1800 022 222.
Dental treatment under general anaesthetic
Some children need dental treatment under a general anaesthetic, for example because they are very young, need a lot of treatment, find treatment very distressing, or have additional needs. Your dentist will explain why it is recommended, where it will take place and what the alternatives are. Ask them, too, how to help prevent further tooth decay afterwards.
Information in other languages
The Australian Society of Anaesthetists publishes its Anaesthesia for children pamphlet in English, Arabic, Chinese (Simplified), Punjabi and Vietnamese. Please note that some fasting times in that pamphlet are older than ANZCA’s current guideline, so use the times your hospital gives you.
Sources
- ANZCA. Anaesthesia and children. Accessed 2 Nov 2026.
- The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne. Preparing your child for surgery (general anaesthesia). Updated Jul 2025.
- The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne. Emergence delirium. Accessed 2 Nov 2026.
- healthdirect Australia. General anaesthetic (child). Last reviewed Jan 2026.
- Australian Society of Anaesthetists. Anaesthesia for children (pamphlets in English, Arabic, Chinese, Punjabi and Vietnamese). Page modified 22 May 2026.
- ANZCA. PG07 Guideline on pre-anaesthesia consultation and patient preparation (2024; Appendix 1, Fasting, revised June 2026). June 2024; Appendix 1 June 2026.
- ANZCA. Professional documents (including PS55 facilities, PG18 monitoring, PS19 monitored care, PS04(A) post-anaesthesia care, PG29(A) children). Accessed 2 Nov 2026.
- Written by
- Altitude Creative, health content team, on behalf of Dr Walid Aly
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In an emergency, call 000. This information is general and does not replace advice from your treating practitioner.