Baby & Family
If you are parents of a new baby – congratulations – first and foremost this is a little being who will thrive on the love and care of their parents as do all new babies. The only difference is your new baby will have some extra needs and you as parents are the absolute first choice to take care of those needs.
In fact, the better informed and prepared you are, the smoother the way forward will be. And you will find through our organisation all the help and advice to make that path easier with lots of smiles and laughter on the way!
We know, because as parents of babies with a cleft, who are now children or all grown up into amazing young adults we have been there, and come through the other side. You may be just starting out, but you’ll find there are many helping hands.
You are not alone.
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Before Baby is Born
Being prepared and what to put in place.
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After the Birth
Have a clear direction of what to do next.
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Feeding and First Steps
Includes a checklist and early medical info you need to know.
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Preparing for Surgery
Includes a checklist and early medical info you need to know.
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Moving On
Pre-school and Primary school, teasing, health & dental care.
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Red Flag Alerts
What to look out for with Hearing and Speech development.
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Building Your Child's Self Esteem
How you can help; starting Secondary School; appearance & ongoing treatment options.
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Ongoing Treatment Options
Bone Grafts, Fistula Repair, Pharyngoplasty, Cosmetic Surgery, Jaw Realignment.
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Milestone Charts
A reference for the stages and steps you and your baby will be facing over the coming years.
Find out more about…
Acceptance is very important to how we interact with our babies and continues to be an important part of growing healthy self esteem in our children. ‘Psychological’ factors describe the feelings you may have and how you deal with those and ‘social’ factors involve how relationships may be affected with family, friends and even strangers that you meet. Learn more about psychosocial impacts and how you can make healthy choices for you and your baby.
Talk to us…
0800 4 CLEFT (0800 425 338) for a chat and advice
If you have a facebook page, login to facebook first and then click on the Facebook Parent link.
Find out about “Support Parents” to walk alongside you
Meet with other families at your local Coffee Group
Contact your local Cleft Team of professionals