This sweet girl is one month after her cleft lip repair.

Normally surgery is done between 3 and 6 months of age.

This is a good balance when weighing anesthesia safety, scarring, activity level, and time to heal before the palate surgery.

Afterwards, children may continue breastfeeding or bottlefeeding the same as before surgery.

Most of our cleft lip patients also go home the same day after their lip repair.

After cleft palate surgery, patients usually stay 1 or 2 nights until we are confident the child is feeding well.

She has done beautifully, with a scar that will soften and fade over time.