Benchmarking clinical practice against best evidence: An example from breastfeeding infants with cleft lip and/or palate

Abstract

The purpose of this paper was to systematically review the literature to determine the feasibility of breastfeeding children with cleft lip and/or palate (CL+/-P) and determine whether Australian cleft-unit guidelines reflect best practice. The methodology used was a systematic review of the literature regarding breastfeeding for infants with CL+/-P. Guidelines regarding the breastfeeding of infants with CL+/-P from Australian cleft units were also reviewed. We then compared these guidelines against evidence from the systematic review to determine whether Australian cleft units were basing clinical management on current best evidence. Results suggested that infants with a cleft lip may breas..