How Do You Breast-Feed A Baby With A Cleft Palate?
A baby born with a cleft lip or palate may have trouble breastfeeding, but it’s worth persevering and will help your baby if he will need surgery. Try to nurse your baby as soon as possible after his birth; this will begin the bonding process as well as alert you to problems. Hold your nipple and areola inside your baby’s mouth by supporting your breast with your hand; this may allow your baby to “milk” the breast with gums and tongue even if he is unable to get proper suction. Experiment with different nursing positions; you may find that holding your baby or supporting your breast in a particular way will help him to latch on properly. Burp your baby often during and after nursing; he may swallow more air while eating than other babies. If your baby will not nurse long enough to reach your hindmilk or if he is gaining poorly, express your milk with a breast pump after each nursing and supplement him with it. Tell your baby’s surgeon that you are breastfeeding if the surgeon suggests
