Cleft palates occur when the roof of a baby's mouth has not formed all the way. The front roof of your mouth is called the hard palate while the back is called the soft palate. A cleft palate can be the absence of some of the soft palate or almost the entire roof of the mouth. With technology and medicine coming so far in recent years, cleft palate can now be treated.
Instructions
1. The first treatment is to find a way to feed your baby. Without the use of the roof of your mouth, sucking and swallowing are extremely difficult. Certain bottles with soft nipples may work if the mother can help squirt the milk by pushing on the nipple. In extreme cases a feeding tube may be necessary until the surgeries are complete. A pediatric nurse will be able to guide you and let you know if the feeding tube is necessary.
2. Get fitted for dental supports. These can help shape the mouth and get your baby's mouth ready for surgery. The dental supports can be used as early as two weeks of age.
3. Schedule surgery. Depending on the severity of the cleft palate multiple surgeries may be needed. If your baby has a minor cleft palate it can be fixed in one surgery that only takes about an hour and a half. This is usually done at one year of age. If your child has a severe case, he may need surgery immediately after birth and several more times throughout the next 10 years of. A surgeon will have to give you the specific details for your child based on the severity of the condition.
4. After any cleft palate surgery it is important for babies to take a round of antibiotics. This is for your baby's protection and is safe as long as there are no known allergies to antibiotics. Take all antibiotics unless otherwise instructed and try not to miss any doses.
5. Get appropriate therapies. Children with cleft palate usually require speech therapy in the beginning. Babies will get confused when it comes to eating after a surgery and may need an occupational therapist to teach them eat again. Once your surgery is complete, it will become evident if any therapy is needed. Get the therapy as soon as possible so no other problems arise later on.
6. Get support from other parents who have gone through the same thing. Your emotional well being is important for your child's treatment. She will sense if something is bothering you so you must learn be strong for her. There is a support group at the Cleft Palate Foundation. See Resources below.
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