Supporting Parents Through a Cleft Palate

Abstract

The diagnosis of cleft anomalies evokes many emotions for parents, creating a significant psychosocial burden and ripple effect on the family. Parents report feeling fearful after diagnosis and overwhelmed on how to care for their child. They feel unprepared to manage the social response to a visible congenital malformation such as cleft lip and palate. Parents of children born with congenital malformations such as cleft palate have many obstacles to overcome in their child's lifetime, but many do not even know where to begin. Support for parents of children with palate should begin at diagnosis, as it takes time for these families to process how their child's congenital malformation will affect the quality of life of the family and the child. This article reviews the ways healthcare teams can support parents through diagnosis, coping, feeding, and surgical experiences and provides resources for providing care for these families.