Parents should seek medical attention as soon as the condition is diagnosed, usually at birth or via prenatal ultrasound.

 Cleft lip surgery is ideally performed:

Between 3 to 6 months of age for optimal healing and facial growth.

Cleft palate repair is often done later, between 9 to 18 months.

 You should consult a pediatric plastic surgeon if:

Your baby has difficulty feeding or breathing.

You notice speech or hearing delays.

There are signs of infection, bleeding, or poor healing after surgery.

 Do's:

Feed the baby with a soft-tipped syringe or spoon for 1–2 weeks.

Keep the surgical area clean and dry.

Administer prescribed pain relief and antibiotics as directed.

Attend follow-up appointments for wound monitoring.

Use sun protection to minimize scar visibility.

 Don'ts:

Do not let the baby rub or touch the stitches.

Avoid using pacifiers or bottles with hard nipples.

Do not apply creams or ointments unless prescribed.

 Recovery & Outlook

Initial healing: 1–2 weeks.

Scar fading: Over 6–12 months, becoming barely visible.

Speech and feeding: Significantly improved after surgery.

Follow-up: May include orthodontic treatment or speech therapy later in life.

Cleft lip repair surgery provides excellent cosmetic and functional outcomes, allowing children to eat, speak, and smile confidently.

 With VivaVel Health, patients save up to 70%, receiving expert care from India's best pediatric plastic surgeons in internationally accredited hospitals.

 Why Choose VivaVel Health for Cleft Lip Surgery in India?

At VivaVel Health, we help families from across the world access safe, affordable, and compassionate care for children born with cleft Lip and palate.

Expert Pediatric & Plastic Surgeons with international experience.

Modern, NABH & JCI-Accredited Hospitals.

Comprehensive Child-Centred Care – including speech therapy, orthodontics, and nutrition support.

Affordable Packages with transparent pricing.

Complete Assistance: visa, travel, accommodation, translators, and post-op care.

Empathetic Support: We walk with parents and caregivers through every stage of treatment and recovery.

Disclaimer:

Our medical content authors have diligently gathered and synthesized information on this topic to offer valuable insights to our readers. Drawing from a range of reputable medical journals and health resources, this content aims to enhance understanding of the subject. It's essential to remember that while this information is informative, it should not replace personalized consultation or treatment from a qualified healthcare professional. For further details, please refer to our Editorial Policy.

For this topic, our authors used some of the following resources:

Cleveland Clinic | Cleft Lip & Cleft Palate Surgery: Repair Steps & Post-op Care

National Institutes of Health (NIH) | (.gov) | Cleft Lip Repair

nhs.uk | Cleft lip and palate - Treatment

MedlinePlus (.gov) | Cleft lip and palate repair