If the procedure is not an emergency (planned surgery):

• Tell your doctor or nurse what drugs, supplements, vitamins, or herbs your child takes.
• Give any drugs the doctor told you to give your child. It is okay if they take them with a small sip of water.
• The doctor or nurse will tell you when to arrive at the hospital.

Ask your doctor or nurse about eating and drinking before the surgery. The general guidelines are:

• Older children should not eat any food or drink any milk for 6 hours before surgery, but they can have clear fluids (juice or water) up until 4 hours before the operation.
• Infants fewer than 12 months can usually eat formula, cereal, or baby food until about 6 hours before surgery. They may have clear fluids up until 4 hours before the operation.

Your doctor may ask you to wash your child with a special soap on the morning of the surgery. Rinse well after using this soap.