Our sons special Cleft Lip
Our special journey started more than 5 years ago.
I was 18 and going for my first scan. As all parents do they expect everything to be ok. It was announced to me that my son had a unilateral cleft lip and palate. The words just hit me. I had no idea what I was facing or dealing with or who to turn to.
After speaking to the specialist consultant he advised that this was repairable and not as bad as it looks. I trawled internet websites and pictures trying to come to terms with it. The only source of comfort I found was from the cleft nurse who visited me before and explained what it was. This information can be found on our website. Her best advice was to look at pictures to prepare for his birth and to look beyond this. Look at how perfect his toes and fingers are going to be.
Ben arrived a healthy 8 pounds, two weeks late after an exhausting 10 hours in labour. Despite having double the amount of people in the delivery room due to the cleft lip and palate he took his first bottle feed well without any specialist teats. It soon became apparent in the next few weeks that we needed specialist teats as he tired easily. We had to transfer on to specialised bottles further information can be found in the website.
We have now had three successful operations and awaiting more. Advice on these can be found further on.
The advice I offer you now is to view our website and share your experience with other parents & realise you are not alone and that the child you are caring for is extra special and you are too. x x x
Names have been changed to protect peoples identity.
Our special journey started more than 5 years ago.
I was 18 and going for my first scan. As all parents do they expect everything to be ok. It was announced to me that my son had a unilateral cleft lip and palate. The words just hit me. I had no idea what I was facing or dealing with or who to turn to.
After speaking to the specialist consultant he advised that this was repairable and not as bad as it looks. I trawled internet websites and pictures trying to come to terms with it. The only source of comfort I found was from the cleft nurse who visited me before and explained what it was. This information can be found on our website. Her best advice was to look at pictures to prepare for his birth and to look beyond this. Look at how perfect his toes and fingers are going to be.
Ben arrived a healthy 8 pounds, two weeks late after an exhausting 10 hours in labour. Despite having double the amount of people in the delivery room due to the cleft lip and palate he took his first bottle feed well without any specialist teats. It soon became apparent in the next few weeks that we needed specialist teats as he tired easily. We had to transfer on to specialised bottles further information can be found in the website.
We have now had three successful operations and awaiting more. Advice on these can be found further on.
The advice I offer you now is to view our website and share your experience with other parents & realise you are not alone and that the child you are caring for is extra special and you are too. x x x
Names have been changed to protect peoples identity.
