As many as one in 700 babies are born with either a cleft palate or cleft lip. Often these can cause a number of related problems including glue ear, crooked teeth and hearing difficulties. The good news is that almost all babies go on to have successful corrective surgery.
How Clefts Develop
Clefts begin to form at about the 6 weeks gestation and are gaps in the palate, lip or gum. For reasons that are unknown, these parts which should join together do not do so in a small number of developing babies.
The causes are unknown, but some studies have suggested that smoking during pregnancy is linked with the condition. An ultrasound scan when you are 18 weeks pregnant will pick up around half of the cleft lips, but cleft palates are not diagnosed until after the birth.
Feeding Your Baby
Babies born with a cleft palate will often have difficulty sucking. There is a special soft bottle that will help here, ask your pharmacist for details. Babies with a cleft lip are usually able to feed satisfactorily.
Treatment
A cleft lip is usually repaired by surgery within the first three months. A cleft palate is usually operated on at about age 6-9 months. In both cases treatment is effective and babies go on to lead a normal life. However, there is usually some scarring and the shape of baby's nose may be a little irregular.
****************************************************************
Author: Tony and Katy Luck who run a Baby Information Site and personalized gift site.
****************************************************************
Does your diaper bag have everything you need in it?... Read More
Blue & Yellow Make Green - Put a few drops... Read More
For years, we have been taught that 13 is an... Read More
Many of the things listed below will help with your... Read More
1. "A baby is God's way of saying the world... Read More
1) BRAINSTORMIt is a good idea to pick a baby... Read More
When my daughter Layla was born I had a hard... Read More
There seems to be more and more pressure on parents... Read More
There are seven stages of potty training. They begin with... Read More
A Baby's Reflexes..A baby is born with certain reflexes to... Read More
When you're holding a baby shower one of the most... Read More
Sleeping..A newborn baby spends most of her time on two... Read More
The best birth announcement is both practical and sentimental. Welcome... Read More
Try something new, a Daddy Baby Shower. Even though no... Read More
The history of names is so ancient that no one... Read More
There is something so amazing and joyous about watching a... Read More
A new baby brings a lot of joy and hope... Read More
Choosing to breastfeed the baby is one of the most... Read More
Throwing a surprise baby shower doesn't have to be difficult.... Read More
It's 2am and your baby is up for the third... Read More
Sheepskin offers unique advantages as an underlay for babies. One... Read More
Did you waste $57 today? I hope not. Unfortunately, so... Read More
Before reading this article keep in mind that most doctors... Read More
Your Gemini Baby..May 21 - June 20Gemini children are lively... Read More
As many as one in 700 babies are born with... Read More
The old saying "babies aren't born with instruction manuals" has... Read More
About one quarter of babies will suffer from colic from... Read More
The sudden appearance of a new baby can be rough... Read More
One of the most common conditions a new mother may... Read More
When you choose a baby bedding, choose the one which... Read More
If you walk into any baby store or online baby... Read More
As many as one in three babies are born with... Read More
Loads of baby boy clip art images are available, once... Read More
Does your diaper bag have everything you need in it?... Read More
Blue & Yellow Make Green - Put a few drops... Read More
For years, we have been taught that 13 is an... Read More
Many of the things listed below will help with your... Read More
1. "A baby is God's way of saying the world... Read More
1) BRAINSTORMIt is a good idea to pick a baby... Read More
When my daughter Layla was born I had a hard... Read More
There seems to be more and more pressure on parents... Read More
There are seven stages of potty training. They begin with... Read More
A Baby's Reflexes..A baby is born with certain reflexes to... Read More
When you're holding a baby shower one of the most... Read More
Sleeping..A newborn baby spends most of her time on two... Read More
The best birth announcement is both practical and sentimental. Welcome... Read More
Try something new, a Daddy Baby Shower. Even though no... Read More
The history of names is so ancient that no one... Read More
There is something so amazing and joyous about watching a... Read More
A new baby brings a lot of joy and hope... Read More
Choosing to breastfeed the baby is one of the most... Read More
Throwing a surprise baby shower doesn't have to be difficult.... Read More
It's 2am and your baby is up for the third... Read More
Sheepskin offers unique advantages as an underlay for babies. One... Read More
Did you waste $57 today? I hope not. Unfortunately, so... Read More
Before reading this article keep in mind that most doctors... Read More
Your Gemini Baby..May 21 - June 20Gemini children are lively... Read More
As many as one in 700 babies are born with... Read More
The old saying "babies aren't born with instruction manuals" has... Read More
About one quarter of babies will suffer from colic from... Read More
The sudden appearance of a new baby can be rough... Read More
One of the most common conditions a new mother may... Read More
When you choose a baby bedding, choose the one which... Read More
If you walk into any baby store or online baby... Read More
As many as one in three babies are born with... Read More
Loads of baby boy clip art images are available, once... Read More
Babies & Toddler Babies & Toddler |