Recommendations for Preprocedural Fasting for the Breastfed Infant

Publication Date: July 17, 2012
Last Updated: March 14, 2022

Recommendations

Minor painless procedures or procedures requiring local anesthesia for pain control that do not require sedation or fasting. Minor procedures such as circumcision with a local block, diagnostic examinations, placement of peripheral intravenous lines, and drawing blood can be performed without sedation or general anesthesia. A procedure that is considered minor should cause minimal physical trauma and psychological impact, therefore not requiring sedation. Without sedation, the infant can protect his or her airway with an intact cough/gag reflex, and thus fasting is not required. (Iundefined)
The need for sedation should be decided upon at the physician’s discretion based on the intensity and duration of the procedure as well as the infant’s medical history.1 If sedation is not necessary, the need for oral analgesics or other means for comfort should be determined by the practitioner.
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If it is a minor procedure not requiring sedation or general anesthesia, then feed normally. Infants are more likely to tolerate minor procedures when the usual feeding pattern is maintained. They will be more comfortable when they have eaten in a normal routine. Without anesthesia, even if the patient is sleeping during the procedure, the upper airway reflexes are intact, and infants will be able to naturally protect their airways. (I, )
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Overview

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Recommendations for Preprocedural Fasting for the Breastfed Infant

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