Post-operative feeding strategies for infants with cleft lip.
Post-operative feeding techniques for infants following primary repair of cleft lip vary considerably. Recommendations range from immediate return to nipple feeding post-operatively to abstinence from nipple feeding for up to 6 weeks. Different surgeons prescribe different post-operative feeding protocols among and within centers. The purposes of this retrospective study (n = 42) were to: (1) identify the specific nonnipple feeding guidelines given to caregivers prior to surgery and the duration for those practices to be used in the post-operative period, (2) describe caregiver compliance, and (3) identify post-operative complications (e.g. dehiscence) related to type and duration of feeding strategies. Feeding guidelines included: nonnipple feeding for 6 weeks (n = 28, 67%), 3 weeks (n = 6, 14%), 2 weeks (n = 6, 14%), and unrestricted return to nipple (n = 2, 5%). Nearly all caregivers (n = 37, 88%) complied with recommendations. The others (n = 5, 12%) returned their infants to nipple feeding sooner than recommended (three in the nonnipple group for 6 weeks, and one each in the other two groups). No medical/surgical complications were related to feeding strategies.


CONCLUSIONS
caregivers typically comply with post-operative feeding recommendations. However, the variability in those recommendations should be reduced with feeding made as easy as possible and not a jeopardy to wound healing.
Skinner
J
J
Department of Speech-Language Pathology, Buffalo State College, and Buffalo Hearing and Speech Center, NY, USA.
Arvedson
J C
JC
Jones
G
G
Spinner
C
C
Rockwood
J
J
D001903:Bottle Feeding; D002971:Cleft Lip / Q000601:surgery*; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000601:surgery; D005248:Feeding Methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007225:Infant Food; D008297:Male; D011182:Postoperative Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies