What is a cleft palate and a cleft lip and what happens when a baby has one?

A cleft palate and cleft lip are birth defects. During a child’s development in the fetus the upper part of the mouth between the nose and the roof of the mouth if it is a cleft palate or the lip in the case of a cleft lip, don’t close properly. When the child is born there is an opening or cleft. Some are mild and some are quite severe. They can have either or both. This is a treatable condition through a surgery or multiple surgeries depending on the severity and involvement of the cleft or clefts. The surgeries that are available now are much improved and they sometimes require both reconstructive and plastic surgeries. Depending on the complications each child has there may be a series of surgeries necessary as the child grows. I have a small niece who was born with one and the initial surgery closed up her lip. They did an amazing job. You can barely see it. She has had to go through continual treatments and checkups as she grows. Children who have these birth defects are more likely to have speech or hearing problems and are more likely to get colds and ear infections. Because of possible multiple complications the baby may need to have a team of doctors who each specialize in the related problems associated with cleft lip or cleft palate. They may have feeding issues and need help to get the right nutrition. They may also need special dental care. The treatments may continue until they are teenagers when the face has completely formed. They are not completely sure what causes cleft palate and cleft lip. The great news is the child can get treated and there are solutions. Mama Nono