How to prepare

This section is to help you prepare, understand and become an integral part of your child’s care team.   As a parent you have a unique insight into your child’s temperament, their limits and how they communicate their needs.  You are an important member of their team. Never be afraid to ask questions - the medical team are here to support you.  Your knowledge of your child is valuable to professionals, don’t be afraid of sharing it when you need to.

This section is organised by event from diagnosis through to discharge, covering the most commonly required treatments.   You may not require all of them and some people will require additional procedures. 

We have identified some important issues to think about and questions to ask at key times to help you.  This helps you focus on what is important for you and your child at each stage of the cleft journey. 

You receive a lot of information from a wide range of professionals, and sometimes it is hard to navigate your way through it.  Thinking about it in smaller chunks and keeping a log of the information that relates to your child helps.  It helps you to recall what is being said and gives you an opportunity to digest the information later on.  The Blue Book has these questions and a place to record your child’s care plan.  If you would like a copy, please contact us.  info@cleft.org.nz or 0800 425 338  (New Zealand only)

Remember that the treatment for each child is planned to suit individual needs.