Thursday, August 31, 2023

Bringing Smiles

Meet M! M was abandoned this spring with a cleft lip and palate. Cleft lip and palate is a birth defect that forms very early in pregnancy, when the lip or palate fails to join completely, leaving a split, or cleft.
Just Arrived

M was just a week old and quite small when his orphanage asked if we might be able to accept him for care. He was wheezing a bit and needed supplemental tube feedings at first, but once he learned how to use a special cleft feeder he did really well. His nannies spent hours talking to him, holding him, singing songs, doing infant massage and responding to his emotional needs for comfort and nurturing. We know that these are as important as (often more so) making sure that a child’s physical needs are met.
With Nanny 

Before Surgery
 
In July, M was admitted for his cleft lip repair and the surgery went smoothly. He is now sporting a beautiful new smile! Little M loves to be held and bounced and he keeps up a steady stream of baby talk in response to his nanny telling him how handsome he is! 

After Surgery

So Much to Say!

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