Cleft Palate Repair in Children: What to Expect at Home

Your Child's Recovery

Cleft palate repair is surgery to fix a split (cleft) in the roof of the mouth, which is called the palate. The doctor made a cut (incision) along the edge of the cleft inside your child's mouth. Then the doctor used stitches to bring the cut edges together to cover the split.

Your child may need pain medicine for the first few days after surgery. The area around your child's mouth may be swollen for the first 1 to 2 weeks after surgery. Your child may be more fussy than usual.

Your child will have stitches in the roof of their mouth that will slowly dissolve. Many children have a stuffy nose after surgery. If your child has trouble with congestion, your doctor may suggest a nose spray.

Most children are back to their usual behavior about a week after surgery. It usually takes about 3 to 4 weeks for the incision to heal. Your child may need to wear padded arm splints for 1 to 2 weeks after surgery to prevent rubbing the surgery area.

This care sheet gives you a general idea about how long it will take for your child to recover. But each child recovers at a different pace. Follow the steps below to help your child get better as quickly as possible.

How can you care for your child at home?

Activity

• Allow your child to slowly become more active. Have your child rest as much as needed. Make sure that they get enough sleep at night.
• Put your child to sleep on their back. This will help your child breathe more easily.
• For the first few weeks after surgery:
  • Do not allow your child to run, play roughly, or do other activities that could damage the incision.
  • Do not use a pacifier or let your child put their hand, toys, or other objects in their mouth.

Diet

• Follow the doctor's instructions for feeding your child. You may need to use a special bottle or syringe for the first few weeks to give your child breast milk or formula.
• When you start feeding your child soft foods, be careful not to damage the stitches with a spoon or fork.
• Give your child plenty of fluids. But do not let your child drink from a straw.
• You may notice a change in your child's bowel habits right after surgery. This is common. If your child has not had a bowel movement after a couple of days, call the doctor.

Medicines

• Your doctor will tell you if and when your child can restart any medicines. The doctor will also give you instructions about your child taking any new medicines.
• Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label.
  • If your child is not taking a prescription pain medicine, ask the doctor if your child can take an over-the-counter medicine.
  • If the doctor gave your child a prescription medicine for pain, give it as prescribed.
  • Do not give aspirin to children and teens. It has been linked to Reye syndrome, a rare but serious illness.
  • Store your child’s prescription pain medicines where no one else can get to them. When you are done using them, dispose of them quickly and safely. Your local pharmacy or hospital may have a drop-off site.
• If you think pain medicine is making your child sick to their stomach:
  • Give your child the medicine after meals (unless the doctor has told you not to).
  • Ask your child's doctor for a different pain medicine.
• Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics. Have your child take them as directed. Do not stop giving them just because your child feels better. Your child needs to take the full course of antibiotics.

When should you call for help?

Call 911 anytime you think your child may need emergency care. For example, call if:

• Your child passes out (loses consciousness).
• Your child coughs up blood.
• Your child has severe trouble breathing.

Contact your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:

• Your child has pain that does not seem to get better after you give pain medicine.
• Your child has a fever over 100.4°F.
• Your child is bleeding from the nose or mouth.
• Your child is not eating or drinking.
• Your child has signs of needing more fluids. These signs include sunken eyes with few tears, a dry mouth with little or no spit, and little or no urine for 6 hours.

Watch closely for changes in your child's health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:

• Your child does not get better as expected.