Tonsillectomy for Children: What to Expect at Home
Your Child's Recovery
Most children have quite a bit of ear and throat pain for up to 2
weeks after a tonsillectomy. They usually have good days and bad
days. Your child's pain may get worse before it gets better. Your
child may also have bad breath for up to 2 weeks.
Your child will feel tired for several days and then gradually
become more active. Your child should be able to go back to school
or day care in 1 week and return to full activities in 2 weeks.
There will be white scabs where the tonsils were. These usually fall
off in 5 to 10 days. You may see some blood in your child's saliva
at this time.
Your child may snore or breathe through the mouth at night. This
usually stops 10 to 14 days after surgery. The mouth breathing can
cause mouth dryness and pain. Place a cool-mist humidifier by your
child's bed or close to your child. This may make it easier for your
child to breathe. Follow the directions for cleaning the machine.
Your child's voice may also sound odd after surgery. Your child's
voice will get back to normal in 2 to 3 weeks.
Nearly all children, even thin ones, lose weight after the surgery.
As long as your child drinks liquids, this is okay.
This care sheet gives you a general idea about how long it will take
for your child to recover. But each child recovers at a different
pace. Follow the steps below to help your child get better as
quickly as possible.
How can you care for your child at home?
Activity
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For about 2 weeks, do not let your child play hard. Take
care that your child doesn't do anything to turn upside
down, such as playing on monkey bars or doing somersaults.
Also avoid sports, bike riding, or running until your
doctor says it is okay.
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Diet
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Have your child drink plenty of fluids for the first 24
hours to avoid becoming dehydrated. Use clear fluids, such
as water, apple juice, and flavored ice pops. Avoid hot
drinks, soda pop, and citrus juices, such as orange juice.
These may cause more pain.
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When your child is ready to eat, start with
easy-to-swallow foods. These include soft noodles,
pudding, and dairy foods such as yogurt and ice cream.
Dairy foods may cause the saliva to thicken, making it
hard to swallow. Try them in small amounts. Canned or
cooked fruit, scrambled eggs, and mashed potatoes are
other good choices.
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Medicines
Follow-up care is a key part of your child's treatment and
safety.
Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor if
your child is having problems. It's also a good idea to know your
child's test results and keep a list of the medicines your child
takes.
When should you call for help?
Call 911 anytime you think your child may need emergency
care. For example, call if:
Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:
Watch closely for changes in your child's health, and be sure to
contact your doctor if:
Current as of: September 27, 2023
Content Version: 14.0
Care instructions adapted under license by your healthcare professional. If you have questions about a medical condition or this instruction, always ask your healthcare professional. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information.