How to Breastfeed an Infant with Cleft Lip & Palate?

Infants with cleft lip and palate have problems due to poor sucking. A cleft specific bottle must be used in this regard. You can purchase this bottle from the pharmacies. You should hold the bottle tilted and keep the baby in the standing or sitting position in order to prevent the milk from flowing back into the child’s nose.

How Many Surgeries Are There for a Cleft Lip & Palate?

There is at least one cleft lip treatment surgery, which is carried out in 10-week old infants and a separate surgery for treatment of palate, which is carried out when the child is one year old. However, several surgeries are required with respect to the amount of cleft in order to make the lips appear as normal as possible. And sometimes, additional surgeries are needed to improve speech.

Does the Cleft Palate Affect Breathing?

Approximately 70% of the cleft population have nasal airway dysfunction and about 80% mouth-breathe.

What is the Main Cause of Cleft Palate?

Cleft lip and palate occur due to a combination of genes and other factors, therefore, it is a genetic disorder. On the other hand, factors such as mother’s smoking during pregnancy, exposure to X-rays, or alcohol consumption during pregnancy can lead to cleft lip and palate. Using medications during pregnancy can result in cleft lip and palate.

What Is the Appropriate Age for Cleft Lip & Palate Treatment?

A cleft lip can be treated when the infant is10 weeks old and the surgery for cleft palate treatment can be done when they are 1 year old. The removable orthodontics treatment should be started when the child is 6 years old. And the fixed orthodontics treatment should be carried out when the patient reaches the age of 12. The orthognathic surgery and implants should be both carried out when the patient is 18 years old.

Why Do Children with Cleft Lip and Palate Have Dental Problems?

Children with cleft lip and palate are prone to tooth decay and mostly have missing teeth, extra teeth, incomplete, or misplaced teeth, also, the upper jaw does not grow properly in these patients and they suffer from lower jaw protrusion. Accordingly, the need for dentistry and orthodontics treatments are common in patients with cleft lip or palate.

Are Cleft Lip or Palate Detectable with Ultrasound During Pregnancy?

A cleft lip may be detectable with ultrasound around the 13th week of pregnancy. As the fetus grows, detecting cleft lip becomes easier. A cleft palate can be detected using modern ultrasound devices.

Can Folic Acid Prevent Cleft Palate?

Folic Acid can prevent cleft lip and palate. A new study indicated that women who take folic acid supplements early in their pregnancy can reduce the chance of having children with cleft lip or palate.

What Can We Do to Prevent Cleft Lip & Palate in the Infants?

In order to prevent cleft lip and palate, you should take folic acid, don not smoke, and do not drink alcohol, do not expose yourself to X-ray, and do not use medications during pregnancy. Try to reach a healthy weight before becoming pregnant and consult a specialist about the healthy ways of increasing your weight during pregnancy.

How Does Cleft Palate Influence A Child’s Growth?

Children with cleft palate have difficulty is sucking and swallowing (eating) and are prone to ear infection, which can affect their hearing. Lip and palate surgery can result in scars in the upper jaw and prevent its development. Consequently, the patient will need orthodontics treatment.