What is the best way to feed a new baby with a cleft?

Special nipples: There are special kind of nipples availabe for feeding infants with cleft palate.

Special bottles: Babies with cleft palate, with or without cleft lip, have a difficult time generated a good, long suck because of the hole in the roof of the mouth. They swallow fine, it is just difficult to get the milk into their mouth. There are 3 major brands of cleft bottles that allow squeezing of the bottle to get the milk into the baby's mouth so they don't become exhausted trying to suck.

Find a coach: Have your doc refer you to a cleft palate team in your region. This provides access to the occupational therapists with the most experience teaching moms to deal with a difficult feeder.There are special nipples available, and regular premi nipples can sometimes work.Occasionally you will need to tube feed .I like the team to see these kids the first week.