Here's Tips for Breastfeeding Babies with Cleft Lips
Breastfeeding a baby with a cleft lip is a challenge for its mother. This is because babies with cleft lip have problems in sucking and also swallowing. However, there are ways you can do to facilitate breastfeeding with cleft lip babies.
Cleft lip is a condition of a congenital abnormality that is characterized by a gap or cleft in the upper lip. This disorder can occur due to the failure of tissue union in the lips in the first trimester of pregnancy.
Actually, cleft lip in a baby can be treated by surgery. However, to carry out these operations, Mother must wait until the Little One is really ready. Usually a new operation can be performed when the doctor decides whether the weight or age of the baby is sufficient.
Well, while waiting for the operation to arrive, the little one still has to get adequate milk to support its growth and development. So, how can you keep giving maximum breastfeeding?
Tips for Breastfeeding Babies with Cleft Lips
When a baby with a cleft lip suckles, there is usually a gap between the lips and the breast of the mother. This will make it difficult for babies to suck breast milk from the breast. Therefore, to keep getting adequate milk intake, babies with cleft lip should get adjusted how to eat as early as possible.
Here are some tips for breastfeeding babies with cleft lip:
1. Adjust the position of the suckle
Mother must be good at positioning your nipples with your mouth. Try the mouth can cover all parts of the nipple. If necessary, you can cover the gap between the lips and breasts with your fingers. The goal is for Little One to easily suck Mother's nipples.
A sign that your baby has succeeded in sucking milk from the breast is a swallowing sound. If the sound produced is only tasting, it means that the baby cannot suck breast milk. At this rate, Mother is advised to breastfeed with another method.
2. Do not overfeed your little one
Even though he successfully sucked milk, a baby with a cleft lip would still have difficulty sucking his mother's nipples. This is what makes them have to spend more energy while breastfeeding.
That is why, Mother is advised to breastfeed Little for 15-20 minutes. If more than that, Little will be exhausted and waste the energy he really needs to grow.
3. Breast milk pumps and special milk bottles
If the method of breastfeeding directly from the breast does not work for your child, another method you can use is to pump breast milk. To always meet the needs of baby's milk, Mother is advised to pump eight times a day, including one at night. For the gift, now there is a special baby bottle available with a cleft lip, you know, Bun. Usually, this special bottle dot is made wider making it easier for your little one to suck breast milk. The position of the baby when breastfeeding is suggested to be upright and try to keep the pacifier position in the middle of the baby's mouthBreastfeeding for babies with cleft lip is a little different, but it's still quite easy if the cleft lip is not too big. Even so, Mother should consult with your pediatrician or lactation consultant on how to give breast milk that fits the condition of your child.
It should be noted that the above technique cannot be used in infants who also have cleft palate. If your child has this problem, usually the mother is not recommended to breastfeed directly from the breast. Once again, ask your doctor about the best way to breastfeed for your child's condition.
Label : Family
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