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Feeding your baby
Feeding your baby is one of the most important, and sometimes most emotional, parts of early care. If your baby has a cleft lip and/or palate, feeding may be a little different at first, but with the right support, most babies feed well and gain weight normally.
Our specialist cleft nurses are here to guide you through every step.
You're not alone
Many parents feel overwhelmed when they first learn their baby has a cleft, especially if feeding becomes tricky. It’s completely normal to have questions or worries. That’s why we provide one-to-one support to help you feel confident and comfortable.
Whether your baby has a cleft lip, cleft palate or both, they may need some adjustments to help them feed successfully.
We’ll help you:
- Understand how the cleft affects feeding
- Choose the most suitable bottle and teat (if needed)
- Learn feeding techniques to support your baby’s latch and flow
- Monitor weight gain and feeding habits
If you wish to breastfeed, we’ll support you as much as possible to make that work.
Some babies with a cleft palate may not be able to create suction. In these cases, we’ll provide specialist bottles that allow milk to flow more easily. These are available free of charge through our service, and we’ll show you how to use them safely and effectively.
Our cleft nurses will often meet you:
- During pregnancy (if cleft is picked up on a scan)
- Shortly after birth (on the postnatal ward or at home)
- At feeding clinics or regular appointments
- By phone or video call for ongoing support
We’ll continue to support your baby’s feeding right up until surgery and beyond.
Further support
Feeding Leaflets and Videos
Visit our Resources section to download feeding guides and watch videos showing bottle preparation, positioning and more.
Still Have Questions?
If you’re struggling with feeding or unsure what to do next, don’t wait, contact your cleft nurse directly, or reach out via our Contact Us page.