Dr. Ahmed Maki
Surgeon

Guides for parents

What to expect and what to do after cleft lip and palate surgery, and how to support your child as they grow up.

These notes are general guidance, not a substitute for your own doctor’s instructions. If anything worries you about your child, contact the clinic.

For parents

After cleft lip repair surgery

This guidance follows current recommendations in cleft lip surgery. It is meant to protect the surgical site, speed up healing, and reduce complications.

1 Caring for the wound

  • Keep the surgical site clean and dry as much as possible.
  • Clean the lip gently with clean gauze and sterile water or saline, as the doctor instructs.
  • Apply only the prescribed ointment or cream, in the amount specified.
  • Do not scratch the wound or pull off the scabs.
  • A small amount of blood or discharge in the first two days is usually normal.

2 Feeding and nutrition

  • Feeding can usually begin a few hours after surgery, depending on the child and the surgical team’s instructions.

Preferred during the first week

  • Milk, fluids, and soft foods suitable for the child’s age.
  • Give water after each feed to rinse the mouth gently.

Must be avoided

  • Spicy or hard foods, for older children.
  • Hard pacifiers, where the doctor has advised against them.
  • Spoons or hard toys inside the mouth.

3 Protecting the surgical site

  • Some children need arm restraints or light mittens to stop them touching the wound.
  • These are usually worn for 5–10 days, as the surgeon directs.
  • Move the arms gently several times a day and keep checking the skin.

4 Pain and sleep

  • It is normal for the child to be unsettled or to cry a lot in the first few days.
  • Give pain relief only as prescribed.
  • Keeping the child’s head slightly raised during sleep helps reduce swelling.

5 When are the stitches removed?

  • Stitches come out 5–7 days after surgery, at the surgeon’s decision.
  • The type of stitch used varies with the child and the operation.

6 Important notes for parents

  • Mild swelling and an uneven-looking lip at first are normal, and improve gradually over the following weeks.
  • The final appearance of the wound and scar takes several months to show.
  • Calm, gentle care and good nutrition contribute a great deal to a successful result.

Dr. Ahmed Maki

For parents

After cleft palate repair surgery

Home care after palate surgery matters as much as the operation itself. This covers feeding, mouth care, protecting the surgical site, and follow-up.

1 Feeding after surgery

During the first two weeks

  • Give the child cool or lukewarm fluids.
  • Avoid hot fluids and hot food.
  • You may use a cup, a small spoon, or a feeding syringe — as the doctor instructs.

Must not be used

  • A pacifier.
  • Bottles with hard teats.
  • Straws.
  • Putting any hard object in the mouth.

For 4–6 weeks, or as the surgeon directs.

2 What the child can eat

First two weeks

  • Liquids
  • Semi-liquids
  • Very soft food

Such as milk, yoghurt, drinking yoghurt, soup, and juice.

After the second week

  • Gradually introduce soft, well-mashed food

Not allowed for about 6 weeks

  • Hard food
  • Crunchy food
  • Sharp-edged food

Such as crisps, hard biscuits, nuts, and dry bread — and no toys or metal spoons in the mouth.

3 Mouth and wound care

  • Give a little water after every feed or meal to help rinse the mouth.
  • Keeping the mouth clean reduces inflammation, speeds healing, and reduces odour.
  • The stitches used are usually dissolvable and do not need removing.

4 Pain and medication

  • Give medicines exactly as the doctor prescribed.
  • Giving pain relief before a feed helps the child eat comfortably.
  • Do not give any additional medicine without asking the doctor.

5 Protecting the surgical site

  • Stop the child putting fingers in the mouth.
  • Stop the child putting toys or objects in the mouth.
  • Some children need arm restraints for a short period to stop them touching the wound.

6 Things that are normal afterwards

  • Mild swelling.
  • A small amount of blood mixed with saliva.
  • A slight smell from the mouth.
  • A temporary drop in appetite.

These are usually normal in the first few days.

7 Follow-up

  • Come back for review at the appointment given after surgery.

Regular follow-up keeps track of

  • Healing of the palate
  • Feeding
  • Hearing
  • Speech
  • Growth of the jaw and teeth

A successful result does not rest on the surgery alone. Good care at home and steady follow-up are an essential part of the child’s treatment — and of the smile they grow up with.

Dr. Ahmed Maki

For parents

Supporting a child with cleft lip and palate — especially through adolescence

Adolescence is a very sensitive time when it comes to appearance and what other people say. The way parents treat their child makes a real difference to their confidence.

  1. 1
    Treat your child normally
  2. 2
    Do not keep talking about the scar or the shape of the face
  3. 3
    Listen to how he feels, and take it seriously

    Adolescence is a very sensitive age when it comes to appearance and other people’s comments.

  4. 4
    Never compare him to anyone

    Focus on his character, his abilities, and his own achievements.

  5. 5
    Build his confidence every day

    Through support, encouragement, hobbies, and social activities.

  6. 6
    Teach him how to answer with confidence

    When people ask questions — without fear or embarrassment.

  7. 7
    Do not underestimate bullying

    Emotional support matters far more than telling him to “just ignore it”.

  8. 8
    Avoid over-protecting him

    Confidence and independence are an important part of his emotional growth.

  9. 9
    Family support makes the biggest difference

    Studies show it is the single most important factor in building a child’s character and self-acceptance.

Always remember: a child usually sees himself the way his parents see him.

Dr. Ahmed Maki

Still have a question about your child?

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