FAQ
To thrive and grow, babies with cleft lip and palate must be able to successfully feed. It is difficult to create the suction needed to pull milk from a bottle or to latch onto the breast when breastfeeding because of this opening in the palate. As a result, babies with cleft palates may not gain enough weight because feeding takes a lot of energy. It is important for babies to be able to feed comfortably within a reasonable amount of time, without struggling to breathe, choking, or straining to get the milk from the bottle. The feeding goal is to help the baby get the right amount of milk in the right amount of time, and to avoid taking in too much air.
1. What is cleft lip and palate?
Cleft of the lip and palate also known as orofacial clefts are birth defects in which lip and mouth do not form completely and there is an opening or slit in the upper lip, front part of the mouth which is called the hard palate and the back part of the mouth which is called the soft palate.
2. How and why does is it happen?
When the embryo develops there are certain places where tissues fuse to form structures and organs. When the face, nose and the palate form, there are areas where this embryonic fusion takes place. In some situations, this process fails resulting in orofacial clefts.
Though there are several anatomical, genetic and environmental (deficiencies/ drugs) suspect factors, the cause of formation of cleft is still not clearly established and still a subject of research.
3. What can I do to help my baby with cleft lip/ cleft palate/ both cleft lip & palate?
It is important to visit the specialized cleft center for consultation as soon as the baby is born so that you can get assistance with feeding, psychological support, and anticipatory guidance of what to expect in the near future and understand the entire course of treatment process.
4. How do I feed my baby?
Babies born with orofacial cleft need feeding assistance initially to orient mothers on the positioning of the baby as well as to understand if the baby can directly breast feed or need specialized bottles/ devices meant for this purpose.
5. When should treatment begin?
Prenatal screening during pregnancy can identify some of the orofacial clefts and as soon as the diagnosis is confirmed you should visit the specialized cleft centre for consultation and anticipatory guidance.
6. Is surgery alone sufficient?
No, it also need other supportive care and regular follow-up.
7. What other treatment does my baby need other than surgery?
Babies will need assistance with feeding and pre-surgical interventions which are more effective when they report early. Some children may also need language and speech therapy, preventive dental care and dental alignment.
8. What should I do when my child is scheduled for surgery?
After consultation you will be guided for pre-operative evaluation which includes some blood tests and fitness from pediatricians and anesthesiologists.
9. What is the end point of treatment?
With proper treatment planned at the appropriate time, every child even with the most severe orofacial cleft can be restored to near normalcy and well integrated into the society. Usually the treatment starts as soon as the baby is born and the duration of treatment varies depending on the severity of the orofacial cleft.
10. My child had a palate surgery somewhere else and has a hole in the palate now, is it correctable?
After consultation you will be guided for pre-operative evaluation which includes some blood tests and fitness from pediatricians and anesthesiologists.
11. My cleft was repaired many years ago and now I have difficulty in eating/ I have difficulty in my speech being understood by others/ I am bullied because of my appearance. Is there any solution for this?
Yes, all these problems are correctable. It needs specialized care by multiple experts who are available at specialized cleft centre.
12. My baby is born with an odd shaped head, is it something serious?
Sometimes babies born with a differently shaped head will need intervention to help the brain grow normally. If it is not done at an appropriate time, the child may end up with brain growth retardation.
13. How to contact us?
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