Feeding a Baby with a Cleft Lip and/or Palate: Finding What Works for You and Your Baby
Feeding your baby is meant to be a time of connection, comfort, and growth — but when your baby has a cleft lip and/or palate, feeding can come with extra challenges and questions. Whether you’re breastfeeding, pumping, or using specialty bottles, there are ways to help your baby thrive. With the right guidance and support, feeding can still be a beautiful, bonding experience.
Why Feeding Can Be Difficult with a Cleft
A cleft is an opening in the lip and/or roof of the mouth that affects how your baby forms a seal and creates suction. Because suction is what allows babies to draw milk effectively, a cleft can make both breastfeeding and bottle feeding more challenging.
You may notice that your baby tires easily, milk leaks from the nose, or feeding takes longer — but with supportive positioning and the right tools, your baby can feed successfully.
Breastfeeding with a Cleft
Some babies with smaller or partial clefts can still breastfeed directly with adjustments.
Working with a lactation consultant familiar with cleft care can help you explore:
Upright or side-lying positions that support swallowing and reduce milk leakage.
Breast compressions to help milk flow more easily.
Hand and cheek support, such as the modified dancer’s hold, to help your baby maintain a better seal and direct the nipple toward the intact part of the palate.
Even if full breastfeeding isn’t possible right away, your baby can still receive your milk — and the closeness that comes with feeding in your arms.
Pumping and Expressed Breastmilk
For many families, pumping becomes an important part of the journey — especially while waiting for surgical repair or working toward direct breastfeeding.
If you’re pumping:
Pump often (8 or more times in 24 hours) to build and protect your milk supply.
Use hands-on pumping techniques and gentle breast massage to fully empty your breasts.
Store and label milk carefully if freezing for later use.
Maintaining your milk supply now gives you options later — whether that’s continuing to bottle feed breastmilk or transitioning to breastfeeding once your baby’s cleft is repaired.
Bottle Feeding Options
Specialty bottles are designed to help babies with a cleft feed comfortably without suction.
Options like the Dr. Brown’s® Specialty Feeder, Haberman® Feeder, or Pigeon® Bottle use a one-way valve or compressible design that allows caregivers to gently control milk flow.
These tools help your baby feed safely and efficiently, while reducing fatigue and the risk of aspiration. Your lactation consultant can help you choose the right bottle and nipple flow for your baby’s specific needs — and show you how to use gentle pacing to match your baby’s rhythm.
The Power of Skin-to-Skin and Connection
Feeding is about more than milk — it’s about closeness.
If you’re pumping or bottle feeding, skin-to-skin time, cuddling, and gentle touch are still powerful ways to bond.
Your baby learns your scent, heartbeat, and warmth through that contact. These moments also help your body recognize your baby’s environment, so your immune system can make the antibodies your baby needs — which are then passed through your breastmilk.
Hugging, kissing, and holding your baby often support both emotional and biological connection, no matter how you feed.
You Don’t Have to Navigate This Alone
Feeding a baby with a cleft lip and/or palate can take patience, trial and error, and a lot of support — but you don’t have to do it on your own.
A lactation consultant with experience in cleft feeding can help you:
Find effective positions for feeding or pumping
Utilize supportive hand holds like the modified dancer’s hold
Select and use the right specialty bottles
Maintain and protect your milk supply
Support your baby’s growth and comfort every step of the way
If you’d like help creating a plan tailored to your baby’s needs, I’d love to work with you.
Together, we can make feeding more comfortable, confident, and connected.