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Treatment
Once your baby is born, you will be contacted by a member from the cleft lip and palate team. You may already be in contact with them if your baby’s cleft was discovered during a routine 18 – 20 week scan.
The specialists will ask for you to attend an outpatients appointment. This can sometimes be quite frightening as you may be greeted by a team of specialists all in one room. The team of specialists may consist of:
Surgeon
Specialist cleft nurse
Orthodontist
Paediatrician
Speech and language therapist
Counsellor/Psychologist
Geneticist
The surgeon and team will explain what path of treatment or surgery your baby needs.
The 1st operation is to repair the cleft lip which takes place at around 0 – 6 months.
The 2nd operation is to repair the cleft palate which takes place before your babys 1st birthday.
You may be offered an appointment to see a geneticist. This may determine if there is a genetic link as to why your baby has a cleft lip and/or palate. Blood tests will be taken from your child and analyzed. They may even tell you what the chances of having another child with cleft lip and/or palate. I was informed that mine are 30 – 40% risk. It hasn’t stopped me wanting another child. You will also be told that any other family member for example your children’s children could have a cleft lip and palate.
Your child will be assessed by a speech and language therapist will asses your child and see whether or not they have any difficulties talking. For example children with a cleft palate often have air escaping down their noses when they make certain sounds. Further test will be done if this happens and surgery or extensive speech and language therapy may be offered. We have just been through this surgery with our 4 year old and it does make all the difference. The team will be able to help you and cater any treatment to your child if this does occur.
We found that by using word cards and holding them up at home and helped to pronounce the words help our child a little bit.
As your child starts school a clinical psychologist or councillor will be able to assist both you and your child as to any fears that you may have. This can be a difficult time for any child or parent. They will be able to answer questions or give advice that suits your child. Remember make things an adventure!
Once your baby is born, you will be contacted by a member from the cleft lip and palate team. You may already be in contact with them if your baby’s cleft was discovered during a routine 18 – 20 week scan.
The specialists will ask for you to attend an outpatients appointment. This can sometimes be quite frightening as you may be greeted by a team of specialists all in one room. The team of specialists may consist of:
Surgeon
Specialist cleft nurse
Orthodontist
Paediatrician
Speech and language therapist
Counsellor/Psychologist
Geneticist
The surgeon and team will explain what path of treatment or surgery your baby needs.
The 1st operation is to repair the cleft lip which takes place at around 0 – 6 months.
The 2nd operation is to repair the cleft palate which takes place before your babys 1st birthday.
You may be offered an appointment to see a geneticist. This may determine if there is a genetic link as to why your baby has a cleft lip and/or palate. Blood tests will be taken from your child and analyzed. They may even tell you what the chances of having another child with cleft lip and/or palate. I was informed that mine are 30 – 40% risk. It hasn’t stopped me wanting another child. You will also be told that any other family member for example your children’s children could have a cleft lip and palate.
Your child will be assessed by a speech and language therapist will asses your child and see whether or not they have any difficulties talking. For example children with a cleft palate often have air escaping down their noses when they make certain sounds. Further test will be done if this happens and surgery or extensive speech and language therapy may be offered. We have just been through this surgery with our 4 year old and it does make all the difference. The team will be able to help you and cater any treatment to your child if this does occur.
We found that by using word cards and holding them up at home and helped to pronounce the words help our child a little bit.
As your child starts school a clinical psychologist or councillor will be able to assist both you and your child as to any fears that you may have. This can be a difficult time for any child or parent. They will be able to answer questions or give advice that suits your child. Remember make things an adventure!
Feeding - Feeding
Treatment -Treatment your baby will require
How you might feel -Discusses how you might be feeling How you might feel
Treatment -Treatment your baby will require
How you might feel -Discusses how you might be feeling How you might feel
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