Find out more about: 1  folic acid in pregnancy. 2  vitamin D in pregnancy. 3  iron in pregnancy.  vitamin C in 1  pregnancy. calcium in pregnancy.  vegetarian and vegan diets in 1  pregnancy. the Healthy Start scheme.
Cleft lip and cleft palate are birth defects. This means they happen while a baby is developing. Normally, the mouth and nose of a baby develop between the first 6 and 12 weeks of growth inside the mother. In some babies, parts of the lips and roof of the mouth don't grow together.
Many babies with a cleft palate will not be able to breast feed because they will not be able to create the suction they need to draw the milk from a breast.If your baby cannot create good suction then he will need to have his milk (breast milk or formula) put in a special bottle for feeding.o matter what type of cleft your baby has, you will be able to give baby breast milk if you want to. If your baby has a cleft palate, he will have difficulty breastfeeding and will need some help. But, your baby can still suckle at the breast and enjoy skin to skin comfort with you very soon after birth.