Options available for feeding babies with cleft
SOFT / SQUEEZABLE BOTTLE
Softplas from CLAPAM, Pigeon, MAM dsb
BOTTLE WITH SQUEEZABLE TEAT
Medela-Haberman
BOTTLE WITH SPOON
SoftPlas, Pigeon, Medela
SOFT TEAT
latex such as NUK
NASOGASTRIC / INFANT FEEDING TUBE
Monthly (2nd Monday)
SYRINGE, SPOON, CUP
without need for bottle
Use of Teats with Feeding Bottles
Teats, if used, should be soft (latex not silicone). Additionally, orthodontic teat is recommended as its hole is at the bottom (normal teat would have its hole at the tip). Milk will thus flow to the tongue, instead of to the back of the mouth. This helps to mitigate liquids from entering the middle ear or come out through the nostrils.
Care of Feeding Bottles and Teats
Softplas bottles and latex teats should not be subjected to boiling water or steam sterilizers. They can instead be washed using hot water, or sterilising tablets, and replaced when they appear to have expanded.