Helping parents cope with a cleft lip and palate

Abstract

For the layman, the area of cleft palate is one shrouded in mystery and half-knowledge. An unrepaired cleft lip and palate is an unpleasant, if not alarming sight, and parents are not always totally convinced by the reassuring words of doctors and nurses that “ plastic surgeons do a marvellous job on cleft palate babies.” They need proof that their baby will indeed look and be like any other baby within a few months. Equally important, they need reassurance that whatever feelings they may experience when their babies are born are natural and appropriate ones. As the baby grows and develops parents may need practical assistance, emotional support and information regarding their baby’s condition. It is essentially for these reasons that a fellowship group has been established under the auspices of SAIDA (Southern Africa Inherited Disorders Association) to help parents and families of cleft lip and palate children.