Breast feeding and
a cleft palate
When a baby is born with a cleft palate it is often asked by
the mum the question "is the baby able to be
successfully breastfeed?"
Breast feeding and a cleft palate depends on the
degree of malformation. In fact, breast feeding with a cleft
palate is easier than with a bottle and the nipple and breast is
more flexible and you can make a seal easier.
One needs to find a way to create an good seal for the baby
on the breast so the baby can swallow well.
It is important when breast feeding with a cleft palate
to put their new baby to breast as soon as possible to
practice different positions.
Often in babies with a cleft lip, a seal can be made by
pressing the breast tissue into the cleft to make the seal.
Another opting is with breastfeeding by pumping as a
supplement to the normal breast feeding. There are special cleft
palate bottles available.
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