Cleft Lip / Palate Support Group

Kathrine,
My son was born with a bilateral cleft lip and palate, he is now three but when he was one and a half he got rsv, that is a realy bad upper respiritory infection, he was sick for over a month. we also did the albuterol breathing treatments. The Drs. told me the same thing, as long as he was getting fluids we just had to wait it out. I know he was older then your child, but the drs, told me that upper respiritory infections were really hard to get rid of and lasted a long time. I pray that your little guy gets better, mine did. I felt like he was sick forever and that he was never going to get back to himself, but he eventually did. It is hard seeing your baby sick like that for so long. I think your mom may be right, this is probably not due to the cleft, that stuff is going around bad this year. The ear infection however may be due to the cleft, my son has had ear tubes since two months old. They said he will probably have to have them until he is a teenager. Well, I hope I was a little bit of help. Good luck.

Kathrine, I am raising my Granddaughter and she had a soft palate repair when she was 11 months old. Not all will agree with me, but for us it works. After her surgery, my granddaughter has had constant congestion. Dr.'s say she is fine, but we all hate to see the little one stuffy, breathing hard, etc. I don't believe in pumping kids up with a lot of medication, so at 12 months I took her to a Chiropractor (I grew up going to them instead of Dr.'s), Anyway, I take my Granddaughter once a week for an adjustment. for us it is a lifeline. Being that I work full-time, little one goes to day care 5 days a week. She is now 3, has only had 2 ear infections since she was born, has had a few fevers, that is when I take her everyday. The fever usually breaks on the 2nd adjustment visit. Some at home things that really help, put a vaporizer on and use "oil of thyme" do not get the oil on your skin. 10 to 20 drops and your little one should sleep better. You can pick it up at the vitamin shop. They also carry holistic bronchial cough syrup. I use that and tylenol without dye. I chose this route because it seemed every-time we went to the doctors, she was being given a new prescription.She is allergic to antibiotics and that just lead to one complication after another. Anyway, you may have to try several, talk to them, a good chiropractor will set up a schedule and reduce payment. The good ones are out there to help us stay healthy, not just crack your bones. Hope this helps. Yes, babies can be adjusted. My granddaughter also had other issues, as she did not sit-up until she was 1, walked at 2, just started really talking at 3. therapies and Chiropractic care have done wonders for her.

Hey ,I was born with a cleft palete , I can give you sincere blessings . I know it isn't easy to be living with this but i sure hope he ok.

My son had issues with his ears prior to his cleft lip surgery and had tubes put in the same time as his lip repair the surgeon said that most infants with cleft lips and palates need the tubes because the palate muscles pull parts of the inner ear down for drainage as we grow but with a cleft it is difficult for that to happen.Children with clefts are more susceptible to illnesses because of the opening on the roof of their mouths are not able to block air born germs as well and sometimes when they choke on fluids it can cause respiratory issues it's not very common but it does happen. My son had pneumonia because he had a cold and choked on a small amount of formula which irritated his lungs where the pneumonia developed. the best thing u can do is talk to your doctor or cranial facial team

As a mom of 2 clift Palate children I say trust your instinks(sp) do what you feel is right go to the clift palate clinic if you feel you child is in need.No one knows your child better than you! You are there to protect them so go with what you feel even if you have to but heads with their doctors.