Can you correct a cleft lip later on in life if you can't afford a surgery for your child at this time?

Done in some locals: A basic interest in early closure is to aid feeding and prepair the mouth structures for speech & language production as the child develops. Various surgical teams travel the world fixing clefts in children and adults. Outcome of these procedures is promising.

Yes, but not ideal: It is possible to repair a cleft at any age, but much better speech and functional results are possible with a team approach and intervention at an early age. In the us, there is no reason to delay treatment. Check with your nearest children's hospital and find a cleft lip & palate team. They should have a social services person to help find a way to get the child the surgery they need.

Yes: The surgery may be a little harder on the child due to pain and living with the defect. The surgery may be a bit harder as the tissues will be more sturdy.