Feeding the Cleft Palate Child

Summary

This video provides essential guidance for parents of babies born with cleft lip and cleft palate, focusing on specialized feeding techniques. It explains how typical feeding is disrupted by these conditions and offers practical solutions using specialty bottles, such as Dr. Brown’s and Medela’s, that support compression feeding. The video emphasizes the importance of proper positioning, limiting feedings to 30 minutes, and consulting healthcare providers for individualized care. It is an informative resource to help parents ensure their baby gets adequate nutrition and growth despite these challenges.

Takeaways

• 😀 Cleft lip and cleft palate are the most common craniofacial birth defects in the U.S. and occur early in pregnancy.
• 😀 A baby can be born with either a cleft lip, cleft palate, or both, with the causes often being genetic or environmental, though many cases have no known cause.
• 😀 Feeding challenges arise when a baby has a cleft palate due to a gap in the roof of the mouth, which affects the ability to create suction.
• 😀 Typical infant feeding relies on a vacuum created by sealing the lips and elevating the soft palate to pull milk, but babies with a cleft palate lack this ability.
• 😀 For babies with a cleft lip, feeding may still be manageable with a wide enough bottle, and breastfeeding can usually continue with support from a lactation consultant.
• 😀 Babies with a cleft palate use a different feeding method, relying on compression motions of the tongue instead of suction, which can be more tiring.
• 😀 Feeding sessions for babies with a cleft palate should be limited to 30 minutes or less to conserve energy and ensure adequate growth.
• 😀 Milk may come out of a baby's nose when feeding with a cleft palate, but this is usually harmless and the baby will quickly adapt.
• 😀 To reduce milk coming out of the nose, it’s recommended to feed the baby in an upright position and avoid excessive suctioning of the nose.
• 😀 There are several specialty feeding systems for babies with a cleft palate, such as the Dr. Brown's specialty feeding system, the Medela Special Needs Feeder, and the Mead Johnson bottle, all of which adjust flow rates to help babies feed more effectively.

Q & A

What are the most common craniofacial birth defects in the United States?

Cleft lip and cleft palate are the most common craniofacial birth defects in the United States.

What causes cleft lip and cleft palate in infants?

Cleft lip and cleft palate are generally caused by genetic or environmental factors, though the exact cause is unknown in many cases.

What is the difference between a cleft lip and a cleft palate?

A cleft lip involves a separation or split in the upper lip, which may also affect the jaw and gums. A cleft palate involves a split or hole in the roof of the mouth, making it difficult to create a suction system for feeding.

How does feeding differ for a baby with a cleft lip?

Feeding a baby with a cleft lip is generally similar to feeding a baby without any clefts, as suction can still be achieved. The baby may need a bottle that is wide enough to accommodate the cleft, and breastfeeding may not be impacted, though a lactation consultant may be helpful.

Why is feeding more difficult for babies with a cleft palate?

Feeding is more difficult for babies with a cleft palate because the split in the roof of the mouth prevents the formation of a vacuum, which is crucial for suction. Instead, the baby uses a compression or sweeping motion of the tongue to extract milk, which can be more tiring.

What is the recommended feeding time for a baby with a cleft palate?

Feeding should be limited to 30 minutes or less to conserve energy and optimize growth for a baby with a cleft palate.

Can babies with a cleft palate breastfeed?

Breastfeeding is typically not an option for babies with a cleft palate, as the necessary vacuum system cannot be created. Special feeding bottles are required instead.

How can parents prevent milk from coming out of a baby's nose during feeding?

To prevent milk from coming out of the baby's nose during feeding, it's recommended to feed the baby in an upright position, ideally at a 90-degree angle. This helps gravity keep the milk from flowing into the nose.

What are some specialty feeding systems for babies with a cleft palate?

Some specialty feeding systems include the Dr. Brown's Specialty Feeding System, which uses a one-way valve to adjust the pressure, the Medela Special Needs Feeder (also known as the Haberman Feeder), which is a squeeze bottle with a valve, and the Mead Johnson bottle, which requires manual squeezing to control the milk flow.

How do the specialty feeding bottles work for babies with a cleft palate?

Specialty feeding bottles like the Dr. Brown's and Medela Special Needs Feeder use a compression or squeezing motion to feed the baby, as suction cannot be created. The bottles are designed to release milk with less effort, and the flow rate can be adjusted to suit the baby's needs.