Can you tell me if babies with cleft lip/palate need strapping to upper lip?

Often times.: Taping or other devices are often used in babies with cleft lip (especially bilateral) to slowly bring the defect edges closer together and decrease the size of the gap that needs to be repaired.

Some do this.: Some surgeons do taping prior to surgery, but most do not. There are other, more effective ways to bring the edges closer together prior to surgery if that is necessary.