Why does a baby with cleft palate have problems with feeding?
Because of the cleft, or opening between the mouth and nasal cavity, the baby can not create the suction which is needed to efficiently pull milk from the bottle or breast. It is like trying to drink from a straw with a crack in it. Your baby may take longer to feed or have milk come out of his nose. This is called nasal regurgitation.” The baby may also swallow more air while feeding. Because of these problems, you need to make some changes, or adaptations, in the way you feed your baby.
