Patient's question:
A baby with a cleft palate for over two months, when feeding, I used a special bottle for her, but she couldn't suck it either, so I gave up on using it and switched to a regular bottle. I cut the nipple larger and gave her a hand-pumped nipple to drink. Except to prevent choking, everything else was fine, and she was well-fed. However, it has been said recently that the baby must be able to suck on her own before the surgery to exercise her oral muscle function. Is that correct? But if the baby cannot suck at all, she cries uncontrollably and does not get enough to eat. I don't know what to do.Doctor's answer:
For a baby who is two months old, the most important thing is to make sure they are well-fed. Feeding methods and postures are secondary. First, make sure the baby is full. Only then will they gradually build up the strength to exercise their oral muscles. You can let them bite on various things appropriately and use many pacifiers to attract their attention, which can be helpful. You can also discuss their current condition with a pediatric surgeon. Wishing them good health!