Cleft Lip and/or Palette

[Pretty Butterfly]

Been running around BB for a couple of days and couldn't find a thread on clefts so thought I would start one!! It is one of the most common birth defects, affecting almost 1 in 500 births. Although cosmetically it can be fixed, many also have underliying problems or syndromes. My 5th baby, Kane has a cleft lip, gum and palate. He is only 3 months so hopefully i'm pretty up to date on most info and would love to hear from anyone who has clefts in their family. The doctors are pretty sure ours isn't heriditory, but a lot times it can be.

Kane is an extradinary baby and the little love of my life. It's actually a shame his face has to change, cause I love it how it is!! Although having a cleft obviously isn't very practical!!

Many people say how can you be happy and laugh with what is wrong with your son?? Well my son is healthy, and many people have very sick little ones, so I consider myself lucky to have my son just how he was meant to be. And some days if you don't laugh, you'll cry!!

Sorry the long post, could seriously talk about him all day!! Will post again later with all the practacalities eg feeding, surgeries, speech etc.....