Objective: to identify the knowledge of nursing professionals about breastfeeding infants with a cleft lip and palate. Methods:a cross-sectional survey with nurses from two Brazilian Universities. A questionnaire with personal characteristics andknowledge related to nursing education was used. Results: all 13 nurses reported the lack of training on breastfeedingfor infants with a cleft lip and palate. Most of the nurses were unaware of offering ways of feeding, suggesting that despitebeing one of the professionals who give more guidance on breastfeeding, knowledge on the subject is just beginning aboutthe need for attention and care in attending children with a cleft lip and palate. Conclusion: further research in the area isrecommended in order to improve understanding of caring for newborns with a cleft lip and palate, and to help professionalsupgrade the care process.

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