Sucking performance of babies with cleft conditions

Abstract

Objective: To describe the sucking performance of bottle-fed babies with cleft conditions. Participants: Forty 2-week-old-babies with cleft lip (CL; n = 8), cleft palate (CP; n = 22), and cleft lip and palate (CLP; n = 10) were examined. Methods: Suction, compression, and other sucking parameters were measured during bottle-feeding and compared to determine if they varied with cleft condition or feeding ability. Results: All babies with CL and one with CLP demonstrated suction. Thirteen of 22 babies with CP demonstrated suction but only three maintained regular pressure changes over time. Between-group differences in the amplitude of suction and compression were associated with cleft conditi..