The issue of stopping intake of food or anything before anaesthesia and
sedation is that the drugs may depress the gag reflex, and some of them
also increase the risk of vomiting.  Thus, if the child vomits while
sedate, s/he may aspirate.  That is the problem.

There are various opinions about how long before a child may take fluids
or other things before anaesthesia.  Certainly 4 hours for breastfeeding
before is very conservative.  Afterwards, as soon as the child is away
and interested.

Jack Newman, MD, FRCPC