Early Feeding Experiences of Families Whose Children Were Born with Cleft Lip andor Palate: A Rural Perspective

An initial problem frequently found in children born with cleft palate is difficulty feeding. This problem can be magnified in rural areas where healthcare resources are limited. A 29-item questionnaire was developed and administered to 24 families whose children were born with a cleft palate. Many parents experienced difficulties in both instruction and in feeding their children. It was necessary for them to seek information and assistance from different sources. As a result of the findings, an informational pamphlet was developed and distributed to various rural hospitals located in West Virginia, so that information and sources of instruction for feeding were more readily available.