How can Specialized bottles and nipples aid in Cleft Palate feeding?
Using a specialized bottle or nipple can help an infant with a cleft palate take in milk more effectively. Nutrition is an infant's number one requirement and these modified instruments help ensure the infant receives adequate nutrition.
Feeding with the Haberman Feeder and Mead-Johnson Nurser
The Haberman Feeder and Mead-Johnson Nurser are soft, plastic bottles that are easy to compress. To begin feeding, tickle the baby's lips with the nipple to pop the mouth open. Insert the nipple into the oral cavity. Position the nipple on the center of the tongue, with the tip turned under the intact part of the palate. The baby should begin to suck. Allow the baby to suck and breathe a few times before applying compression. Rotate the bottle to find the proper flow. You can put pressure on the reservoir every two to three sucks to help the baby suck more of the liquid out. Or, constant pressure can be applied to release more milk with each suck.
Feeding with the Pigeon Nipple
The tip of the nipple has a Y cut. There is also a V at the base of the nipple which is the air vent. The air vent must be positioned on top of the nipple under the baby's nose for it to work properly. When inserted into the baby's mouth, the movement of the tongue will activate the flow of the milk.
Using a Palatal Obturator
A palatal obturator is a small acrylic prothesis that fits into the baby's mouth to close off the fistula (space) in the palate during feeding. The prothesis is made from taking a mold of the baby's palate. It prevents liquid from entering into the nasal passages, and ensures that the liquid makes it to the swallowing mechanisms. It can also help the baby to create suction.
Tips
Feeding with the Haberman Feeder and Mead-Johnson Nurser
The Haberman Feeder and Mead-Johnson Nurser are soft, plastic bottles that are easy to compress. To begin feeding, tickle the baby's lips with the nipple to pop the mouth open. Insert the nipple into the oral cavity. Position the nipple on the center of the tongue, with the tip turned under the intact part of the palate. The baby should begin to suck. Allow the baby to suck and breathe a few times before applying compression. Rotate the bottle to find the proper flow. You can put pressure on the reservoir every two to three sucks to help the baby suck more of the liquid out. Or, constant pressure can be applied to release more milk with each suck.
Feeding with the Pigeon Nipple
The tip of the nipple has a Y cut. There is also a V at the base of the nipple which is the air vent. The air vent must be positioned on top of the nipple under the baby's nose for it to work properly. When inserted into the baby's mouth, the movement of the tongue will activate the flow of the milk.
Using a Palatal Obturator
A palatal obturator is a small acrylic prothesis that fits into the baby's mouth to close off the fistula (space) in the palate during feeding. The prothesis is made from taking a mold of the baby's palate. It prevents liquid from entering into the nasal passages, and ensures that the liquid makes it to the swallowing mechanisms. It can also help the baby to create suction.
Tips
- Always observe the baby's face and reactions during feeding. If the baby becomes distressed, starts coughing or is not breathing, immediately stop feeding and tend to the baby's needs.
- Once a feeding method is tried out and decided upon, use that same method for each feeding. This way the baby knows what to expect during each feeding.
- A feeding specialist will be able to give caregivers advice, techniques and strategies to use when feeding a baby with a cleft palate.