A parent-friendly guide based on advice from Safer Care Victoria and leading paediatric hospitals
What is a tonsillectomy?
A tonsillectomy is an operation to remove the tonsils, often done to help children who have frequent infections or trouble breathing during sleep. Hospitals such as Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne and Monash Children’s Hospital perform this procedure commonly, and most children recover well at home with the right support.
What to expect after surgery
Recovery usually takes 10–14 days, and it can be a bit of a rollercoaster.
Common things you might notice:
- A very sore throat (this can get worse around days 3–7 before improving)
- Ear pain (this is normal and comes from the throat healing)
- Bad breath (part of the healing process)
- Low energy and mood changes
- Reduced appetite
This is all expected and outlined in guidance from Safer Care Victoria and major paediatric hospitals
Take a look at this video to learn a little more
Pain relief is key
Keeping pain under control is one of the most important things you can do.
What helps:
There are 3 aspects to pain relief:
- Medication
- Distraction
- Cold therapy
Medication:
- Give regular pain relief (not just when your child asks)
- Use medications exactly as prescribed (often paracetamol, sometimes ibuprofen if advised)
- Set alarms overnight in the first few days
Distraction:
- Use whatever you can to keep them occupied- screens for a few days is OK!
- Books, bubbles, craft, gentle activities- Make a box for these before surgery
- Audio books or music with headphones to block out other stimulation
- Baths or showers
- Try and get outside for some fresh air at least once a day- it makes a big difference. A pram walk after pain relief, a short car ride to aid napping and hammocks or swinging chairs can all aid comfort
- Practising breathing techniques can also help older children- practice these before surgery so they know what to do- trust us- it works!
Cold relief:
- Ice chips
- Slushies
- Milkshakes
- Smoothies
- Icy poles and ice cream
- Jelly
- Cool soup
- Cold drinks
All helpful and count as fluid too!
👉 If pain is not controlled, children often stop drinking, which increases the risk of complications.
Hydration is more important than food in the early days.
Encourage:
- Frequent small sips of fluids
- Ice blocks or icy poles
- Soft foods like:
- Yoghurt
- Mashed potato
- Scrambled eggs
- Pasta
- Soup
Helpful tip: Give your child medication to help the pain at least 30 to 60 minutes before eating to allow it time to work.
Avoid:
- Hard, crunchy foods (chips, toast)
- Very hot or spicy foods
💡 A helpful tip: even if they don’t feel like eating, drinking regularly protects healing and reduces risk of bleeding.
Rest and activity
Your child will need time to recover.
- Plan for quiet activities at home for around 2 weeks
- Avoid running, jumping, or sports
- Keep them home from school or childcare as advised
This reduces the risk of bleeding during the healing phase.
Around days 5–10, you may notice:
- White patches in the throat
- Increased pain
- A slight increase in smell
This is normal healing, not infection.
However, this is also when the risk of bleeding is highest, so extra care is needed.
When to seek urgent help
This is the most important safety message.
Go to the nearest Emergency Department or call 000 if:
- Your child has any bleeding from the mouth or nose
- They are spitting or vomiting blood
- They won’t drink at all
- Signs of dehydration:
- No urine for 8+ hours
- Dry lips or mouth
- Lethargy
Hospitals like Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne emphasise that any bleeding after a tonsillectomy is an emergency.
Practical tips for parents
- Stay ahead of pain with regular medication
- Offer fluids often, even overnight early on
- Keep meals simple and low pressure
- Expect ups and downs across the recovery
- Trust your instincts, you know your child best
A reassuring note
While recovery can feel long, most children:
- Return to normal eating within 2 weeks
- Sleep better
- Have fewer infections
With good pain control, hydration, and knowing what to watch for, you are doing exactly what your child needs.
Here are some really helpful resources for support after surgery:
Fact sheet_ Pain management plan after tonsil surgery.docx- This includes a brilliant medication tracker
Fact sheet_Caring for your child after tonsil surgery.docx
Kids Health Info : Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy (T&A)