I have been searching the internet for over an hour and been unable to find 
what I'm looking for so would appreciate any information or experience anyone 
has had with an infant with a cleft of the upper alveolar ridge only.  I will 
see the 5 day old baby tomorrow so am only going on what mom told me.  She said 
her baby has a wedge like section in shape of a V midline in upper alveolar 
ridge (maxilla).  She said there are no other clefts.  Is this possible?  All I 
find refers to cleft lip going into alveolar ridge or clefting of hard palate 
doing the same.  Should I be looking for posterior submucosal cleft? bifed 
uvula? or can a cleft occur only in the alveolar ridge?  Diagnosis given by pedi 
and not seen yet by cranio facial specialist.

According to the site Wide Smiles defects in the alveolar ridge should not 
affect breastfeeding; is this true?  Would lip seal be affected?  I imagine that 
if this is the case the usual ways to help a baby with cleft lip could apply. 
Mom has nursed older sibling for 3 yrs and tells me baby does not seem to be 
emptying breast well--she seemed unsure of good latch technique so will focus 
on that as well.  Thanks in advance for input.

Barbara Latterner, BSN, RN, IBCLC


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