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Coping and support
By Mayo Clinic staffNo one expects to have a baby with a birth defect. When the excitement of new life is met with the stress of discovering that your baby has a cleft lip or cleft palate, the experience can be emotionally taxing on your entire family.
For the parents and family
When welcoming a baby with cleft lip and cleft palate into your family, keep these coping tips in mind:
- Don't blame yourself. There's probably nothing you could have done differently to prevent the defect.
- Acknowledge your emotions. It's completely normal to feel sad, overwhelmed and upset.
- Find support. Your hospital social worker is your source for community and financial resources and education.
For the child
A child with cleft lip and cleft palate is at risk of having psychological or social problems when growing up. Support your child by using these coping tools:
- Focus on your child as an individual, not on his or her cleft.
- Point out positive attributes in others that don't involve physical appearance.
- Help your child gain confidence by allowing him or her to make decisions.
- Keep the lines of communication open. If teasing or self-esteem issues arise in school, be sure your child feels safe talking with you about it.
