Snacking With Bilateral Cleft Palate. HELP!!!

Lacey - posted on 11/20/2009

Just a year ago I was asking the same questions you are. My son, Hunter had a bilateral cleft and palate also. I have found there is NO getting out of stuff coming out their nose's. Hunter LOVES Puff Graduates (they get soft fast, no choking) and Banana's. You can also get a netted pacifier from the store and put fruits in them. Very simple, no choking and they get to taste more foods that way. Although, make sure you have a bib on him. About a sippy cup, Hunter doesnt like them, I have tried a lot. I end up just holding a cup to his mouth and help him drink. It is the same thing as taking the spill-proof think out of the sippy cup lid, but you have control on the mess it might make. My best answer for you is to try EVERYTHING and see what workd for baby. We can give you suggestions as we are moms that have been though the what you are going thought now, but Only your baby knows what works for him.

Sorry I couldn't be more of help. I hope it all works out for you!

Kerri - posted on 11/16/2009

my daughter eats porridge, and rusks, she has a complete palellet and when she sneezes,,,, lol

Sylvia - posted on 11/13/2009

Snacks... Tripp loves can mandarin oranges, can sliced black olives, can chopped pineapple... we use the ones with less sugar. His favorite veggie is Italian Green Beans becuase he can pick them up with his fingers and doesn't have to fight with a spoon or fork. He doesn't like the fork because he's stuck himself a few times :(

As far as juice...we use 1/2 and 1/2 with water. Sippy cup..we use platex and take out the sealers that keep it from dripping. that way he doesn't have to suck. They wil spill but he'll get the hang of it and you'll learn to keep a towel handy :)

Also other soft sweet foods we use are the walt-mart cinnimon rolls (in the cooler section that requier you to bake) i cook them about 10 minutes instead of the 15 and they are very soft... i just don't add the sugar topping to his and he loves them. I tear it apart for him. Fiber Ones BlueBerry Muffins...again not cooking them as long so they are soft.

hope this helps--sylvia

Monica - posted on 08/15/2009

I have had a lot of trouble with the sippy cups, but here in the last month I've found one that really seems to work well for my daughter. She likes it so much she doesn't even want her bottle any more. We've been using the Nuby cups. They have the soft short spouts, no valves, but they don't leak. Now I did have to take a knife and cut the slits a little bigger to make it easier for her. Now the food I don't know what to tell you. My daughter has the same problem of everything ending up in her nose. I just let her eat it though. It always works its way out, and the more solids she has been eating the less it has been happening. It is like she is figuring out where to chew at so is doesn't happen as much.

Shana - posted on 08/14/2009

We Did Try A Few Cereals, But It Seems Like He chokes On Things Like Crackers And Stuff, He Shoves The Whole Thing In His Mouth! Lol



Thanks About The Sipping Information. We Just Bought A Nuk Today And Took The Stopper Out, He Seems To Be Doing Alright, But My Carpet Isn't. Lol

Tasha - posted on 08/14/2009

We had to try different foods with our daughter to see how she ate and what worked and what didn't. I found that snacks that they don't drool as much with helps like crackers, cearal were the best for us. As time goes on she trained herself how to control if from going through her nose. Don't get me wrong she is 4 1/2 now and we some times have the problem. Even with her Palate repaired.

As far as sippy cups go we used ones with a soft nipple (any brand we used) until her sucking improved and then changed them out for the hard nipple so her muscles would build in her mouth. And we used the stoppers with the hard cups when she was able to.

I hope this this helps you out. If you have any other questions I have been through it too. It does get easier as time goes on.. I wish you the best of luck for you and your son!