Cleft Lip / Palate Support Group
Cleft is a congenital deformity caused by a failure in facial development during gestation. It can be treated with surgery shortly after birth with highly successful results. Cleft occurs in somewhere between one in 600 and one in 800 births. Cleft occurs in several severities and is divided in two major categories: cleft lip and cleft palate.
My daughter is 15 weeks and was born with a cleft palate. She passed her newborn hearing screen in the hospital, however, she did not pass her test as of this week. Also, she is a slow weight gainer and will not drink more than 4 ounces at a time and is very small. Our nurse said they may delay surgery is the baby hasn’t gained enough weight. Can anyone share their experiences with me? I am very overwhelmed!
I was born with a cleft lip and remember my mom told me that they had to wait for a few months before first surgery.
Also remember her talking to a new born baby mom about feeding when we were waiting at the hospital. She said she used little plastic curved spoons to be able to feed me. Also she couldn't breastfeed me but i guess it depends on baby's condition. But i gained weight. Do not worry.
And please do not get me wrong to saying this but please stay as positive and normal as you can. Because when growing up i always felt the emotional differences on my family's look and attitude and felt their worry and lack of confidence etc. ok i am 35 years old and i born in a small town it was not 2018 but still every once in a while when i see a parent with their special situation kids i feel that vibrations and feel mad at them "kids feel you!" You have to mean they are special, strong, protected, safe..."
And i always remember the movie "Forest Gump". Always wished to feel that support and confidence from Forest's mom.
If i can answer any of your q.s i will be glad to.
Wish you guys all the best.
Loves and Peace