As many as one in 700 babies are born with either a cleft palate or cleft lip. Often these can cause a number of related problems including glue ear, crooked teeth and hearing difficulties. The good news is that almost all babies go on to have successful corrective surgery.
How Clefts Develop
Clefts begin to form at about the 6 weeks gestation and are gaps in the palate, lip or gum. For reasons that are unknown, these parts which should join together do not do so in a small number of developing babies.
The causes are unknown, but some studies have suggested that smoking during pregnancy is linked with the condition. An ultrasound scan when you are 18 weeks pregnant will pick up around half of the cleft lips, but cleft palates are not diagnosed until after the birth.
Feeding Your Baby
Babies born with a cleft palate will often have difficulty sucking. There is a special soft bottle that will help here, ask your pharmacist for details. Babies with a cleft lip are usually able to feed satisfactorily.
Treatment
A cleft lip is usually repaired by surgery within the first three months. A cleft palate is usually operated on at about age 6-9 months. In both cases treatment is effective and babies go on to lead a normal life. However, there is usually some scarring and the shape of baby's nose may be a little irregular.
****************************************************************
Author: Tony and Katy Luck who run a Baby Information Site and personalized gift site.
****************************************************************
Babies and young children have thinner and more delicate skin... Read More
It's finally time. My child is old enough to be... Read More
Around 20% of newborn babies suffer from jaundice. The condition... Read More
It is truly amazing the development that a baby experiences... Read More
Before reading this article keep in mind that most doctors... Read More
Forget bears and bunnies. Today's diaper bags are all about... Read More
The conversation went something like this:"Hey honey, when we get... Read More
1) BRAINSTORMIt is a good idea to pick a baby... Read More
Babies usually triple their birth weight the first year. That's... Read More
When your child shows a majority of the signs of... Read More
Many parents already know that it is better not to... Read More
Free baby shower invitations are the best! Everyone knows that... Read More
After reading several books about potty training (my son was... Read More
As children are growing from todddlerhood to childhood parents are... Read More
Products are recalled all the time for posing a danger... Read More
Modern parents want to do everything they can to help... Read More
The best time to wean your baby onto solid food... Read More
Etiquette for baby shower used to be quite rigid, but... Read More
Having a baby is exciting, but also very tough! There... Read More
Have you ever read those reports on the cost of... Read More
A new baby brings a lot of joy and hope... Read More
Games for a baby shower help the baby shower hostess... Read More
It can sometimes be difficult for a parent to understand... Read More
A few guests can get together and get a big... Read More
Saying Thanks, But No Thanks to Used Safety EquipmentOnce your... Read More
Your Taurus Baby..April 20 - May 20Taurus babies are usually... Read More
Expectant parents spend hours preparing the nursery, poring over pregnancy... Read More
How Can We Help Children Learn about Character?Children learn about... Read More
Your baby's first year is filled with many challenges and... Read More
In the 15-year period from 1982 to 1996, the leading... Read More
If having a Couples Baby Shower seems odd to you,... Read More
Americans have long depended on jarred baby foods for convenient... Read More
Buying educational toys for infants can be difficult, because infants... Read More
About one quarter of babies will suffer from colic from... Read More
It doesn't make sense does it? You do everything possible... Read More
Babies and young children have thinner and more delicate skin... Read More
Using baby shower checklist-hostess are the best way to stay... Read More
Naming a baby is no easy task. However, the following... Read More
Teething is what your baby experiences when her first set... Read More
Your Cancer Baby..June 21 - July 22A Cancer child can... Read More
With all the different features of baby cribs, it can... Read More
You are expecting your first baby and are wondering what... Read More
Etiquette for baby shower used to be quite rigid, but... Read More
Where To Give Birth..You have a choice where to have... Read More
The idea of using potty dolls to potty train toddlers... Read More
Does baby shower hostess etiquette allow for gift suggestions, if... Read More
Growth charts are tools your pediatrician can use to keep... Read More
When most new parents are preparing for the arrival of... Read More
Lists of baby names are always fun to look at,... Read More
When children start to walk more steadily, run, push, pull,... Read More
Babies & Toddler Babies & Toddler |