Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate Hospital Locations?

My nephew was born with both a cleft lip and a cleft palate and had to go through the same surgeries. He's turning 3 this June and is doing GREAT! The hardest part for my sister was feeding him. Every time they had a surgery he had to adjust the way he ate, so they had to adjust the way they fed him. What worked best for her was the bottles with the plastic linings. Then she would just squeeze the plastic bag and he would eat that way. Also, his speech was delayed and he in hard to understand. He gets speech services now, though, and is starting to talk up a storm.

My 5 year old daughter had a birht defect called nasal encepholcele. The doctors that did her surgeries also does children with cleft lip and cleft palate. The doctors that origanlly did her 3 surgeries were in Columbia, South Carolina. I dont know where you live at but my daughter goes for checkups in Oxford, England. They have an awesome childrens hospital. I was very nervous when my daughter went in for surgery too. She was almost 1 year old. She ended up having to have 2 more surderies before she was 2. With family, friends and pray you will make it through and your baby boy will heal fast and will be up and running around before you know it. Also London, England has a really good hospital for that. I will attach a site that has some really good hospitals in England for that. The Great Ormand Street Hospital is really good and the Addenbrookes in Cambridge is good too. My daughter goes to the Addenbrookes one for her feet. Good luck and I will say some prayers for your boy and your family.

http://www.clapa.com/cleft_treatment_centres.php

Hello K., I can't help too much with your question, but I can let you know not to worry. My uncle and cousin were both born with a cleft lip and palate and they speak pretty normal and this was 40+ years ago that they had their surgeries. Best of luck to you and congratulations on your new baby!

K., not to worry. Although it is difficult to have a child with a cleft lip and palate, once their surgery is complete, they usually do great. The final outcome will also be determined by type of cleft (primary or secondary) and how much bone is absent (especially where the teeth are). He may need long term bone grafting or may just need a simple repair. Do you know what kind of cleft it is?