Hi,
My name is Rebecca and I am a junior nursing student at the University of
North Dakota. I have done some research on breastfeeding an infant who has
been born with a cleft palate and/or cleft lip. I was wondering if this is even
possible. In one article by Garcez et. al (2004) it stated that breastfeeding
and suction is not impossible for the baby; although it can be difficult. It also
states that although breastfeeding can occur, it can be difficult for the baby.
This author gives ways of making it easier for the child to feed. Some of
these include putting a finger in the baby’s mouth to seal the suction of the
lips, using warm compresses to stimulate production of the milk, and putting
the nipple of the breast to the better side of the cleft.
I was also reading that children with cleft palates are at higher risk for ear
infections. According to an article by the Health and Wellness Resource
Center (1999), breastfeeding is beneficial for these children because it helps
to minimize the infections due to immunity they are receiving in the breast
milk.
In two articles that I found, they talk about two devices to make
breastfeeding easier for babies. One was found from the Health and Wellness
Resouce Center (1999). They talk about Palatal obturators for the baby to
help with their sucking and to reduce their cleft. Kogo, et. al (1996) talked
about the other device. This device is called the Hotz-Type Plate. This is a
plate that is put in the baby’s mouth to help with better feeding.
My question for all of you is if you have ever heard of any of the two devices
and ever used them? My other question is if you have any suggestions for
helping mothers breastfeed their baby with cleft palate and/or cleft lip?
Thanks so much for you time!
Rebecca
References
Garcez, L.W., & Giugliani, E.R.J. (2005). Population-Based Study on the
Practice of
Breastfeeding in Children Born with Cleft Lip and Palate. Cleft Palate
Craniofacial Journal, 42(6), 687-693.
Kogo, M., Okada, G., Ishii, S., Shikata, M., Iida, S., & Matsuya, T. (1997).
Breast
Feeding for Cleft Lip and Palate Patients, Using the Hotz-Type Plate. Cleft
Palate-Craniofacial Journal, 34(4), 351-353.
Health and Wellness Resource Center. (1999). Breast-feeding the baby with
special
healthcare needs: cleft lip or palate and cystic fibrosis. The Exceptional
Parent,
29(11), 52-54.
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