Caring for Your Child After Surgery

We want to ensure you and your child feel confident and comfortable as you head home after surgery. Here’s some information to help you navigate the recovery process.

Feeling Sick on the Way Home

Sometimes, children can feel a bit queasy on the journey home from the hospital, especially if they’re prone to car or motion sickness. This is more likely if they’re still feeling the effects of the anaesthesia or if they’re hungry or thirsty.

We often give children medicines to help prevent nausea and vomiting. These are called anti-emetics, and your child may have already received one while still under anaesthesia.

If your child is vomiting a lot, especially if they’re an infant or a small child, it’s important to keep an eye on them. Vomiting can lead to dehydration, which can make them feel quite unwell. If you’ll concerned, please don’t hesitate to contact your anaesthetist or surgeon.

Pain Management

Children feel pain just as adults do, and we’re committed to making sure your child is comfortable. They’re usually very good at telling you when they’re hurting – they might cry, whimper, or show other signs of discomfort. Sometimes, it can be harder to tell with younger babies, but we’re here to help you assess their needs.

The most common pain reliever we use for children is paracetamol (also known as acetaminophen). This can be given as a tablet, a suppository (a small, soft medicine that’s inserted into the rectum), or a liquid. We can help you with the best way to give it to your child. If you’re using a suppository, we can provide a plastic bag to use as a substitute for a glove.

Your child may have already received a dose of paracetamol at the hospital, so they might not need more for a few hours. If they received a general anaesthetic plus a local anaesthetic without any other pain reliever, we’re likely to recommend giving them another dose of paracetamol before the local anaesthetic wears off. We’ll let you know exactly when and how to do this.

Sometimes, stronger pain relievers are needed, especially in the first 24 hours after surgery. Codeine is often used, and it’s usually given by mouth. It can sometimes cause constipation or nausea, but these side effects are uncommon with a few doses.

We may also use anti-inflammatory pain relievers, but not all are approved for use in children. Your anaesthetist will provide details about the correct doses.

Combining different medicines can often be helpful, reducing the chance of side effects. We often use mixtures of paracetamol (acetaminophen) and codeine, and sometimes add other ingredients, like mild sedatives.

Important Note: Aspirin should never be given to children under the age of twelve years, as it can cause a rare but very serious condition called Reye’s syndrome.

Eating and Drinking

When can my child eat or drink? The simple answer is: when they feel like it! Don’t force them to drink anything, and they may not want to until they’re home.

Start with small sips of water, then move on to ginger ale or cordial, and then to milk. The same applies to food – begin with easily digested options like jelly and bread and butter. Some children like to start with ice cream! It’s not unusual for children to want something more substantial, though – some have been known to enthusiastically consume a hamburger just a few hours after surgery!

Sleep and Nightmares

It’s common for children to experience sleep disturbances, including nightmares, after surgery and anaesthesia. The less stressful the hospital experience, the less likely they are to have trouble sleeping. Things that can help include:

• Being well-prepared beforehand (see Preparation for Your Anaesthetic)
• A harmonious family environment
• Your child being accustomed to other carers, like a babysitter
• You, as parents, staying calm and reassuring
• You being present as much as possible throughout the hospital stay
• Sympathetic medical and hospital staff
• Avoiding needles whenever possible
• Good pain control
• A short stay in the hospital

Getting Back to Normal

When can my child resume full activity? Again, the answer is: when they feel like it! If the surgery requires a period of modified activity, your child’s surgeon will advise you. In general, children often bounce back surprisingly quickly.

Swimming

There may be a surgical reason to avoid swimming, such as grommets (tubes) in the ears or a large surgical wound. If not, swimming can be considered part of returning to full activity.

Back to School

Unless there’s a surgical reason to delay, your child can return to school as soon as they’re feeling like themselves again. It’s a good idea to let the teaching staff know about the surgery, so they can be aware and treat your child normally.