Cleft Palate Baby
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Category: General Chat
Forum Name: General Chat
Forum Description: For mums, dads, parents-to-be, grandparents, friends -- you name it! And you name the topic you want to chat about!
URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=17791
Printed Date: 16 October 2025 at 3:05pm
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Topic: Cleft Palate Baby
Posted By: BettyBoop
Subject: Cleft Palate Baby
Date Posted: 31 May 2008 at 9:10pm
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Hi there,
We are expecting our third bubs on Friday 6th (booked in for caesar - not by choice!) They have picked up on scans that she will have a cleft palate. Has anyone else on forum had a child with cleft palate? Any thoughts? We have registered with cleft.org.nz and have read up on the surgeries. We are feeling fairly comfortable with the whole thing, but are still in the dark a bit as we have never been through this before. ------------- http://tickers.families.com"> 
http://tickers.families.com"> 
1 Samuel 1:26 |
Replies:
Posted By: .Mel
Date Posted: 31 May 2008 at 9:45pm
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Hi there, Sorry I don't know of anyone on here. I do know of someone though. Their son has just had his final operation for now. The surgeons have done an amazing job. They actually live in Hamilton. Would you like me to talk to her and see if perhaps she'd be willing to talk to you? Good luck for Friday. ------------- Mr Mellow (16) Miss Attitude (8) Destructa Kid (3) 
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Posted By: mum2paris
Date Posted: 31 May 2008 at 11:59pm
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Have not had one myself but have nursed a fair few. I do know that Robyn "my2angels" little man had a cleft lip, am not sure about palate.
Does baby also have a cleft lip? It really does depend as to the extent of the cleft as to how feeding goes. I have seen bubs that have needed nastogastric feeding only, I have seen bubs that have fed with haberman teats that are specially made to help babies with clefts feed, and i have also seen a few babies breastfeed wonderfully despite having clefts. So really it is up to you as to how you will be able to feed, or what you want to try. Overall you'll find that the speach-language therapist and lactation consultant would be great to have help from - which you'll probably be referred but if not, definately ask to be. The other thing you'll possibly find is that they do checks on kidneys and ears, as those things usually form around the same time as the lips and palate so they do tend to like to make sure that there are no probs with those as well. Good luck, the surgeries are really amazing and basically it's just getting the feeding sorted to begin with until the sugeries happen. ------------- Janine and her 2 cool chicks, Paris & Ayja 
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Posted By: fire_engine
Date Posted: 01 June 2008 at 4:22pm
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Good luck - it's great that they picked it up and hopefully will link you in with all the appropriate services ASAP. I don't know if you'll be linked in with Waikato or Middlemore? I know Middlemore have a fantastic cleft team and are really supportive through the whole process of feeding, surgeries, speech development etc. Have a chat to your LMC and see if they have a cleft service in Tauranga. Often you can get linked with with a speech therapist through the child development service before baby comes and they can talk you through some of the immediate feeding challenges (all depends on the type of cleft). You'll be in good hands, but don't be afraid to ask any questions you need to. ------------- Mum to two wee boys |
Posted By: lizzle
Date Posted: 01 June 2008 at 7:13pm
| i don't know much but wanted to add that My2angels's son Kobe looks just gorgeous and you would never know he had a cleft lip when born |
Posted By: busymum
Date Posted: 01 June 2008 at 7:27pm
Hi sorry I don't know anything but I just looked up the ref in your signature and that's pretty cool  -------------  |
Posted By: LeahandJoel
Date Posted: 01 June 2008 at 7:45pm
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Hey Davina, was thinking of you this morning, I know you haven't got much time to go, let me know if I can do anything to help. Lisa -------------  
 
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Posted By: jack_&_charli
Date Posted: 02 June 2008 at 10:06am
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yes..roybn's boy kobe had a cleft lip and you would'nt know it to look at him now. maybe flick her a pm, i'm sure she wouldn't mind answering any questions you have...think she's on holiday at the mo though
BTW.....6th june is a great day for a birthday..my lil bro will be 30 on friday  ------------- http://www.alternatickers.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: BettyBoop
Date Posted: 02 June 2008 at 4:33pm
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Thanks everyone!!, it's so reassuring to hear of other babies that have had the surgeries and that the cleft isn't noticable any more.
I'm a bit nervous about the feeding .. we'll see how things go. I've bought an electric pump so hopefully we can still do breastmilk even if we need to use tubes or bottles. We have been referred to a speech therapist who is coming to visit us on Wednesday, before Friday's caesar. Apparantly the corrective surgeries will be done in Waikato hospital but I have no idea when. ------------- http://tickers.families.com">
http://tickers.families.com">
1 Samuel 1:26 |
Posted By: LeahandJoel
Date Posted: 02 June 2008 at 6:03pm
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Hey Davina, there is a new lady called Knickers who has a 5 yr old who was born with a cleft palete, maybe you should PM her. If you look under ' Hi i'm new to this board' shes in there. -------------
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Posted By: my2angels
Date Posted: 04 June 2008 at 1:56pm
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hiya, yep my son had a cleft lip and my friends wee girl had a double cleft lip and palate. They generally do the lip around 4 months and the palate around 8 months I think from memory. We have had such fantastic support from the hospital. They run cleft clinic and you get free dental, plastic surgery, speech therapy everything. Just be prepared to feel like you live at the hospital though cos your there fairly regularly in the first couple of years. Both my friend and I bottle feed with no problems, there are little devices that go in the bottle that help out. The surgery is done when they are young so its harder on you than the child and they do fantastic repair jobs. If you have any questions feel free to PM me. Good luck.
Oh and there are recent photos of Kobe in the photo gallery if you want to see what his looks like now. |