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How do you feed after cleft palate surgery?
Drinking and Eating
- Give soft, pureed or mashed foods for 3 weeks.
- Do not give foods that have chunks, lumps or pieces, such as seeds, grains, pulp or skin.
- Do not give hard, crunchy foods such as cold cereal, cookies, crackers or chips.
- Use only a spoon for feeding.
- Do not let your child feed themself.
How long does it take to recover from cleft palate surgery?
When general anesthesia is needed, there are important rules for eating and drinking that must be followed in the hours before the surgery. This surgery usually takes between 2 to 6 hours, depending on the type of cleft palate repair your child needs. Your child will stay overnight for at least 1 day after the surgery.
Can you suction after cleft palate repair?
In order for a child to breast feed (or bottle feed with a conventional nipple), he/she needs to create suction within the mouth. Suction cannot be created when there is an opening, or cleft, in the roof of the mouth.
Can you eat with cleft palate?
Though babies with a cleft palate can’t breastfeed, moms can feed them breast milk in the bottle. They also can do non-nutritive sucking to further bond with their babies. This is when a baby sucks at the breast for comfort, not for feeding. Limit your baby’s non-nutritive sucking to less than 10 minutes per feed.
At what age can you fix a cleft palate?
Cleft palate repair: A cleft palate is commonly fixed between 9 and 14 months of age. If there is a separation in the gum line, it usually is repaired when a child is 8-10 years of age.
Can a cleft palate reopen?
Clefts are repaired within the first year of life, usually by a surgeon who has extensive experience and training with this disorder. The clefts are repaired in part to facilitate feeding, but most importantly to support normal speech.
Why are cleft palates bad?
Children with a cleft lip or a cleft palate, depending on the size of the openings, may have problems eating and breathing. As they grow older, they may also have speech and language delays. Children with cleft lip or palate are also more likely to have ear infections, hearing loss, and problems with their teeth.
How successful is cleft palate surgery?
Cleft lip and palate surgeries have greatly improved in recent years. Most kids who undergo them have very good results. There are risks with any surgery, though, so call the doctor if your child: has a fever above 101.4°F (38.5°C)
What is the main cause of cleft palate?
Cleft lip and cleft palate are thought to be caused by a combination of genes and other factors, such as things the mother comes in contact with in her environment, or what the mother eats or drinks, or certain medications she uses during pregnancy.
What age is cleft palate surgery?
Cleft palate repair: A cleft palate is commonly fixed between 9 and 14 months of age. If there is a separation in the gum line, it usually is repaired when a child is 8-10 years of age. A child’s cleft/craniofacial team will determine the best time for cleft palate surgery.
When to resume eating after cleft palate surgery?
Feeding. It is OK to resume full liquids 2-3 days after surgery. This includes yogurt, thin cooked cereals, puddings, ice cream, creamed soups, thin pureed foods, or stage I baby foods. Use only a soft spoon and do not allow the spoon to enter deep into the mouth. It is OK to resume soft foods one week after surgery.
What foods should a child not eat after cleft palate surgery?
This includes no chips, hard cereals, cookies, or toast. It is not uncommon for children to not eat as much as usual for days or even a week or two after surgery. Most children eat more and “catch up” once they are feeling better. It is important, though, that your child gets enough liquids every day to stay hydrated.
Where can I get help with cleft palate repair?
You can reach the helpline at (614) 722-6299, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. During evenings, weekends and holidays please call (614) 722-2000 and ask for the plastic surgeon on call. For a short while after surgery, your child may not eat as well as before surgery.
How long does it take for a cleft palate to heal?
The roof of your child’s mouth (the palate) is still healing and should be protected from injury for about 3 weeks after surgery. There may be no feeling in this area for a while after the surgery. This means that your child can injure the roof of the mouth without you or your child knowing it.