Post Operative Care of Cleft Palates
Several months are required for complete healing of the reconstructed palate. By three weeks, however, the repair is strong enough to resist damage caused by the baby's fingers or by eating utensils. During the initial healing stage, the child will wear arm restraints to prevent him or her from placing fingers or other objects in the mouth.
Feeding your child after surgery requires special care. It is imperative to keep your child from sucking during the initial two to two and a half weeks after surgery. Food or fluids must be carefully dropped in the mouth from a cup or syringe. The child may be offered any fluid that flows from a cup, including pureed food. If the mixture is too thick, it may be diluted with milk. Follow each feeding with water to cleanse the palatal area.
The child will remain in the hospital until he or she is taking fluids well and has minimal to no fever. Usually by one to three days after surgery, you may take your baby home. Since the sutures used in palate repair are dissolvable, there is no need to remove them. However, it is important that the child be seen in the office for a follow-up visit approximately two and a half to three weeks after surgery.