Get Treatment for a Cleft Lip Cleft Palate Baby
Cleft lip and cleft palate are both birth defects. The cleft results from incomplete fusion of the lip and/or palate during the first few months of gestation. Sometimes these birth defects are an indication of a genetic disorder. Treatment for cleft lip and palate involves a team approach including various medical professionals.
Instructions
1. Work with your pediatrician to establish a team of professionals to guide you through the treatment process. Professionals on your team should include a plastic surgeon, dentist, speech and language specialist, social worker or counselor, psychologist, audiologist, ear-nose-throat (ENT) doctor, and genetic counselor.
2. Evaluate your baby's ability to breast-feed. Some babies are able to feed normally, while others require special feeding devices. Discuss feeding options with your pediatrician.
3. Discuss options for clef lip repair, which typically occurs between birth and three months of age. Cleft palate repair typically occurs after cleft lip repair, typically prior to one year of age.
4. Talk with an ENT doctor about the increased likelihood for ear infections. Some ENT's will place tubes in a child's ear early to prevent repeated ear infections.
5. Ask for a complete speech and language evaluation as your child begins talking. This can be done privately or through your state's early childhood intervention program.
6. Get a complete psychological evaluation to determine your child's developmental progress and cognitive ability.
7. Take your child for regular dental visits. Keep in mind that your team may require a orthodontist as your child ages.
Tags: your child, birth defects, Cleft Cleft, Cleft Cleft Palate, cleft palate