Several types of bottles and nipples are available to help you feed your baby. You may need to try more than one feeding system before finding the best one for you and your baby. Our feeding team will work with you and your family to make sure your baby is feeding well and gaining weight. Show
Examples of Feeding SystemsAssisted Delivery Systems
Infant paced systems
How to Feed Your BabyHere are some tips for feeding:
If you put your baby to bed after the feeding, place the baby on their back. As babies get older, they will need more than just formula or breast milk. Be sure to ask our feeding team about when you can start feeding cereal, fruits and vegetables. If your baby has coughing, gagging, choking, milk running out of the mouth, or signs of distress, like labored breathing or watery eyes, they may be getting too much milk. If you notice these signs, please contact our team for help. You may see that some milk leaks out of the nose during a feeding. This is normal for a child with cleft palate that has not been fixed. It does not mean your child is choking. To help with this, keep your baby more upright during and after feeding. Most infants with cleft palate can feed successfully. When to Call the DoctorCall our feeding team or your child's doctor if your baby has:
You can find more information about feeding on the web site of the Cleft Palate Foundation: www.Cleftline.org. When Your Baby has SurgeryChildren have surgery to repair a cleft palate when they are about 10 to 12 months old. Talk to the cleft palate team about surgery and post-operative feeding. Cleft Palate: Feeding Your Baby (PDF) HH-I-21 8/84, Revised 8/19 Copyright 1984, Nationwide Children’s Hospital How do you feed baby with cleft lip?Most babies born with a cleft lip (and no cleft palate) feed well without any special equipment. They usually can breastfeed or use a regular bottle-feeding system. The only change needed might be positioning the nipple so the baby can latch.
Which feeding method is best for the infant with a cleft lip and palate?Pumping breast milk and using specialty bottles are supported as a way of feeding a baby with a cleft palate. The Breastfeeding and Lactation Program at CHOP, or a local lactation consultant, may be of great benefit to you and your baby as you attempt to establish good feeding behaviors.
What will be used to feed the infant after cleft lip repair?For a short while after surgery, your child may not eat as well as before surgery. Give soft, pureed or mashed foods for 3 weeks. There is a table on the last page that shows specific soft foods that are and are not allowed. Do not give foods that have chunks, lumps or pieces, such as seeds, grains, pulp or skin.
What methods can be used to correct a cleft lip?A cleft is usually treated with surgery. Other treatments, such as speech therapy and dental care, may also be needed. Your child will be cared for by a specialist cleft team at an NHS cleft centre.
|