Cleft palate is the fourth most common birth defect in the United States, according to the American Pregnancy Association. Cleft palate can affect just the soft palate, or the top of the mouth at the back of the throat, or the hard palate, which is the top of the mouth above the tongue. How successfully you will be able to breastfeed your infant depends on where his palate is affected, as well as how big the cleft is.
Step 1
Consult with your pediatrician and the lactation specialist provided to you at the hospital. These experts will be able to assess the severity of your infant's cleft palate and explain you your options. They will advise you about whether you can successfully breastfeed your infant or whether you will need to pump milk and feed it to your infant with a special cleft palate nurser designed to assist nursing for infants with a cleft palate.
Step 2
Hold your baby upright, if your pediatrician told you that you can breastfeed your infant. Holding her upright will prevent milk from leaking through the hole in the palate and coming out of her nose, according to the American Pregnancy Association. Use pillows or cushions to help with positioning if necessary.
Step 3
Hold your baby and make eye contact as you feed her. According to the Cleft Palate Foundation, one of the greatest benefits of breastfeeding is parental bonding.
Step 4
Burp your infant frequently. The American Pregnancy Association states that infants with cleft palates might ingest more air and have a more difficult time achieving suction. He may also require more time for each feeding because of these issues, so allow him to nurse until he seems satiated.
Step 5
Monitor your child's progress with feedings, whether you are able to breastfeed or whether you are pumping milk. The Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota states that if he is making frequent bowl movements and wetting diapers, he is probably getting enough milk. Your pediatrician may ask you to log the number of wet and dirty diapers to be certain.
Tips and Warnings
- Even if you cannot breastfeed your baby, he can still enjoy the benefits of breast milk through pumped milk. The hospital can provide you with cleft palate nursers, which are bottles that can be squeezed and require less suction, notes the Seattle Children's Hospital.
Things You'll Need
- Pillows or cushions
- Breast pump
- Cleft palate nurser
References
- Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota; Breastfeeding an Infant with A Cleft Lip
- Mayo Clinic: Breastfeeding - 7 Tips for Pumping Success
- Cleft Palate Foundation: What about Breastfeeding?
- American Pregnancy Association: Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate
- Seattle Children's Hospital: Cleft Feeding Instructions
