Advice after your nerve block for surgery
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Feelings
Children soon learn to use food to make them feel better for example if they are bored, sad, nervous or worried. When your child says that they are bored offer several activities that can be completed instead, such as completing a puzzle, craft activity, going to the park, going for a walk or getting them involved with activates around the house such as gardening and housework.
Non-food incentives/rewards may be useful. Try and help your child to identify why they have had that feeling and help them to think positive about the whole situation.
Habits
Events or thoughts such as sitting down to watch TV, going to the cinema, can be associated with eating in children’s minds.
Is Your Child Really Hungry?
We can often feel hungry between meals and there are certain times of the day this is more likely, such as after school or break time. It is okay to eat a sensible snack when you are hungry between meals, but it is important you avoid eating for reasons other than hunger.
Your child may keep telling you that they feel hungry. Sometimes your child will be hungry and at other times it may be said out of boredom (a craving) or thirst. There are a number of clues that can help you decide whether your child is really hungry or not.
|
Hunger |
Cravings |
|
Physiological need for food due to not having had any food for several hours. Happy to eat anything |
Psychological need for food and request a specific food e.g. crisps/chocolate |
|
Gradual and gets worse over 20 minutes |
Disappears after about 20 minutes |
Contact us
If you have any queries relating to this information, please contact the Dietetics service.
About this information
Service:
Dietetics
Reference:
DT/086
Approval date:
22 May 2026
Review date:
1 May 2029
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Important note
This page provides general information only. It is developed by clinical staff and is reviewed regularly every 3 years for accuracy. For personal advice about your health, or if you have any concerns, please speak to your doctor.