cleft palate mommas?

[Natanya]

I've posted on here about my son and on the breastfeeding challenges link but I wanted to ask cleft palate moms:

Has anyone has had success breastfeeding their babies after cleft palate repair?

I have heard of a hospital in Virginia that promotes breastfeeding right after repair. We are going to Boston's children's and they haven't had anyone thats done it before. My son is 3 months now...he will have his surgery in April. I am pumping and will continue to pump till April. I would love to find someone who has attempted, or even considered it. Thanks.

[2boyzmama]

My experience is different in that my son did breastfeed from birth, and he didn't have a traditional cleft. So I can't help with personal experience in that matter.

But I do know that it is possible! Obviously the younger the child at repair, the better the chances. I'd start calling Lactation Consultants and asking if they'd ever worked with cleft babies, even if they are not local. I got some help via email from a Lactation Consultant in New York (Catherine Watson-Genna, look her up, she has her email posted publicly and is willing to help over email) I also got some help from Dr Palmer, a dentist in MO who specializes in tongue, lip, and palate issues and their effect on breastfeeding http://www.brianpalmerdds.com/ Basically I called everyone I could think of and got the support I needed.

My funky palate kiddo is 3.5 years old and is sitting in my lap right now breastfeeding