he types of anesthetic and dosages are dependent on the individual child’s or baby’s medical condition and the process they are about to undergo.

Sedation

The child is first sedated using an anesthetic appropriate for the particular procedure. Preparations for the sedation and fasting before the procedure are identical to regular anesthesia.

General Anesthetic

General anesthetics (so the child falls into a deep sleep) are administered in one of two ways – through an oxygen mask or intravenously.

• The oxygen mask is placed on the child’s face and the child inhales oxygen and the anesthetic. The child will fall asleep after a few minutes. This stage is gradual and accompanied by a blurry feeling and a sweetish smell. Once the child is fully asleep the doctor or nurse attaches the infusion.
• If the medicine is administered intravenously, the child falls asleep within seconds.
  The supervising anesthetist decides upon the exact time for beginning the anesthetic. The child and the family can be party to that decision if the medical situation allows.

Local Anesthetic

A local anesthetic numbs one part of the body. This is mostly administered epidurally or in the particular limb. In certain cases doctors combine both local and general anesthetics. This combination significantly reduces the amount of pain after the operation. Most children are given a general anesthetic. In selected cases, premature babies will only receive a local anesthetic when they have a breathing problem.

The anesthetist administers the local anesthetic at the relevant point on the body when the child is already asleep.