How Do We Feed a Child With a Cleft of the Lip and/or Palate?

Children whohave clefts of the palate may have difficulty feeding. Because ofthe communication between the mouth and the nose through the cleftin the palate (roof of the mouth), the baby is unable to generateeffective suction which usually makes breast feeding very difficult.If the cleft only involves the lip (and the palate is normal) breastfeeding may be successful. Because of the feeding difficulties childrenwith clefts experience, parents often become frustrated. It maybe helpful to speak with other parents whose children had a similarfeeding problem before surgery. This is one of the functions ofthe support group, Forward Face (see Forward Face brochure). Theuse of a collapsible bottle with a longer nipple and a large crosscutopening is sometimes helpful, as the parents can control the flowof the milk into the baby's mouth. Parents may need to try a varietyof nipples and bottles before finding what works best for theirchild. It is important to work closely with the baby's personalpediatrician as well as the members of the cleft palate team inmonitoring the weight and the progress with feeding. Remember, frustrationis common but the feeding problems are temporary.