How do you feed a baby with cleft palate?

Most babies with a cleft of the palate are not able to use standard bottles or solely breast feed because they cannot create the suction needed to draw the milk out of the nipple. Special bottles and nipples are available to help infants with cleft palate feed and grow.

What information should be included in the discharge instructions for an infant with a cleft palate?

1. Cleft Palate Repair Discharge Instructions. GENERAL.
2. DIET. After surgery, continue the same feeding method that your child was using before surgery.
3. WOUND CARE. The mouth is generally resistant to infection.
4. PAIN MANAGEMENT. Mild to moderate pain is expected with the procedure.
5. FOLLOW UP VISITS.
6. CONCERNS/CONTACT NUMBERS.

What is pulse feeding when it comes to feeding an infant with cleft palate?

Cleft Palate Nurser by Mead Johnson When you feed your baby with this bottle, you gently squeeze, in a pulsing manner. If you squeeze too hard or with a constant pressure, your baby may take in too much milk, or be forced to swallow milk when she’s resting and not ready to swallow.

How does the Haberman bottle work?

Instead of extracting milk, the positive pressure of the baby’s natural suckling action causes air inside the bottle to compress. The milk simply moves around inside the bottle, rather than being expelled. The baby must apply suction (negative pressure) in order to extract milk or to accelerate the gravity flow.

What should nursing care for an infant after the surgical repair of a cleft lip include?

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.
• Do not give foods that have chunks, lumps or pieces, such as seeds, grains, pulp or skin.
• Do not give hard, crunchy foods such as cold cereal, cookies, crackers or chips.

Why should a baby with cleft palate be fed frequently in small doses as opposed to all at once?

Feeding your baby with cleft palate or cleft lip The opening into the mouth from the nose causes a leak of air that prevents effective suction.

What is a priority of nursing care for an infant after cleft lip repair?

Desired Outcomes

Nursing Interventions	Rationale
Feed the infant slowly and burp frequently.	Burping frequently during a feeding will reduce spitting up and prevent excessive swallowing of air.

How you will take care of an infant following a cleft lip repair?

Drinking and Eating

1. Give soft, pureed or mashed foods for 3 weeks.
2. Do not give foods that have chunks, lumps or pieces, such as seeds, grains, pulp or skin.
3. Do not give hard, crunchy foods such as cold cereal, cookies, crackers or chips.
4. Use only a spoon for feeding.
5. Do not let your child feed themself.

Can you drink from a straw with a cleft palate?

Cleft palates are typically repaired between 8 and12 months of age. Your child needs to be drinking all liquids from a free flowing cup (no bottle) for at least one month before surgery. What is a free flowing cup? A sippy cup with a short spout and no spill- proof valve or straw.

What are stage 2 foods?

Stage 2 foods get more exciting. These are strained or mashed into a dense paste. They’re made with a combination of foods that can include legumes and even meats or fish. They may combine flavors, like fruit and veggie blends.

What is a Haberman?

The Haberman Feeder (a registered trademark) is a speciality bottle named after its inventor Mandy Haberman for babies with impaired sucking ability (for example due to cleft lip and palate or Mobius syndrome). The design of the feeder is to simulate breastfeeding.

How long does a cleft lip repair take to heal?

It usually takes about 3 to 4 weeks for the incision to heal. The incision will leave a pink or red scar. You can expect the scar to feel hard and tight at first. The scar should fade and become softer and flatter in the months and years after surgery.

Which position is best after cleft palate surgery?

A child who has had a cleft lip repair should be positioned on their side or back to keep them from rubbing their face in the bed. A child with only a cleft palate repair may sleep on their stomach. It is important to keep the stitches clean and without crusting.

What is the recovery time for cleft palate surgery?

Most children are back to their usual behaviour about a week after surgery. It usually takes about 3 to 4 weeks for the incision to heal. Your child may need to wear padded arm splints for 1 to 2 weeks after surgery to prevent rubbing the surgery area.

How do you use the Mead Johnson cleft lip/palate nurser?

The Cleft Lip/Palate Nurser by Mead Johnson is a low-cost, soft, squeezable bottle. We suggest that you replace the long yellow nipple that comes with the bottle. Use any shorter, softer nipple. Before using the bottle for the first time, put some water in it and practice squeezing the liquid out of the nipple.

How to feed a baby with a cleft palate?

When starting a feeding, hold your baby in a slightly upright position. Touch the baby’s lower lip with the nipple. When the baby latches on, direct the nipple slightly downwards. Try to keep the nipple in the center of the baby’s mouth. Do not let it slip up into the cleft. How do I feed my baby with cleft palate?

When can a baby with cleft palate start solids?

Babies with clefts can start solid foods at the same age as other babies. Most often, this is at 4 to 6 months. Experiment to find the right consistency for solids. It needs to be just right so your baby can eat without the food coming out their nose.

How many times a day should a baby with cleft palate pump?

Insurance can cover rental or purchase of a breast pump for a baby with a cleft palate. At first, pump at least 8 times in 24 hours, including at least once during the night. After several weeks of frequent pumping, most mothers make enough milk by pumping about 6 times a day. Tips for pumping breast milk (PDF). How much should my baby eat?