These were all the different bottles we tried. We finally used the Mead Johnson disposable nurser with the Pigeon nipple system. The bottle collapsed instead of the nipple this way.
We used an infant feeder for his baby food until after his palate closure.
After Jeremiah's palate closure, he graduated to a spoon (and fingers).
Baby Food Recipe and Schedule:
Feeding the Three Month Old Baby and Older
Babies that are bottle fed should be taking about 8 ounces per feeding at about 4 feeding a day. The book that I got the recipe ideas from suggested six, ten, two and six for feeding times. That could be adjusted to whatever fits your schedule. Baby food can be started around 3 to 4 months if needed. The book suggest to start with only one new food per week to be sure he is not allergic to it before adding the next one.
- Cereal is started first with one-fourth teaspoon at ten, two, and six. It is increased each day until two tablespoons are given at each of those feedings.
- The second week fresh banana is started in the same way and increased to two tablespoons at ten, two, and six. This is to be mixed with the cereal.
- The third week applesauce or prunes are started in the same way. Start each food at two teaspoons and increase gradually throughout the week up to two tablespoons. Always mix all the foods together. (Use the prunes if his stools are hard or the applesauce if they are too loose.)
- The fourth week you could add a strained meat if you wanted too. I chose not to do this and used dried field peas instead -cooked without salt and blended in the blender. I did not want to give meat to my baby that early. Later I would sometimes use dried green peas cooked to a mush to substitute for the field peas. These both have the protein that could compare to a meat)
- The fifth week you add carrots (or the book also suggest green beans – which I did not use)
All these foods should be mixed together. It sounds pretty yucky but Jeremiah loved it and did very well on this mixture in an infant feeder. It never gave him the opportunity to not like one particular food. The bananas made it all taste pretty sweet. I used baby rice cereal or baby oatmeal in the beginning for the cereal. Later I switched to regular oatmeal and then blended it in the blender with the applesauce. I would cook all the foods in large quantities, blend each one in the blender, and then freeze them in ice cube trays. When it was time for him to eat, I took out the number of cubes I needed from each food type and put them in the microwave together until they were warm. I mixed them thoroughly and put it in the infant feeder and “dinner was served.” As long as I stayed ahead and kept the cubes handy in the freezer, it was very simple to feed him.
*Note: This is not meant as medical advice; this is just what worked for us. Consult your child’s pediatrician for the specifics of feeding your child.
For further reading on this topic you could get the book Every Child Should Have a Chance by Leila Daughtry-Denmark, M.D. I am not necessarily endorsing everything in this book but found the information on feeding to be very helpful.
Parent's Choice Infant Feeder:
This is a bottle with a plunger type device that can be pushed up from the bottom. It comes with a nipple or an attachable spoon. We used the nipple and enlarged the hole to allow baby food to flow through at the rate we wanted it to. These are available at Wal-mart for around $4.00. The package contains a small and a large feeder. (prices as of 2001)
Lact-Aid (Breastfeeding Aid):
This is a breastfeeding supplementer and sucking aid.
Lact-Aid International, Inc.
PO Box 1066
Athens , Tennessee 37303
615-744-9090
Children's Medical Ventures Cleft Palate Nipple System (Pigeon Nipple):
Nipples are cross-cut with an adjustable flow control valve and fits standard size baby bottle. Each is approximately $3.00. (prices as of 2001)
www.childmed.com
Phone: 1-800-377-3449
Phone: 203-294-2328
Fax: 781-337-5938
Children's Medical Ventures
541 Main Street
S. Weymouth , MA 02190
Mead Johnson Cleft Palate Nurser Bottles
Bottles are fully squeezable with elongated cross-cut nipple, or can be used with any standard size nipple. A box of 6 is approximately $16.00 with shipping and handling. (prices as of 2001)
Phone: 1-800-BABY123
Medela Haberman Bottles:
Bottles have a squeezable nipple and valve system. Diane gives a discount to Charleston Clefts, Inc. and the parents of cleft-affected babies of Haberman feeders, $19.00 each. Bottles are in stock regularly.
(prices as of 2001) See their websites for current pricing.
www.medela.com
Phone: 843-971-1020
Self Expression
Phone: 1-877-463-3352
www.selfexpressions.com
www.affordable-breastfeeding-supplies.com
Nursing Mother's Express
Diane Beidler, RN
PO Box 1626
Mt Pleasant, SC 29456
Click here for more tips on feeding an infant with cleft lip and palate.