Mothers experiences regarding feeding behavior among children after reconstructive cleft lip and palate surgery

Abstract

Cleft lip/plate is the most frequent type of facial and oral malformation in newborns, leading to feeding, aesthetics, speech, hearing, and resonance impairments. Most significant feeding or swallowing problems can result in further complications including nutritional deficiencies and/or respiratory problems and are stressful to the patient’s family or caregivers. The purpose of the study is to explore the experiences of mother regarding feeding behavior among children after reconstructive cleft lip and palate surgery. This study found out the knowledge about feeding behaviour of CLP children, understanding of mothers about feeding techniques of CLP children and experiences and challenges of mother regarding feeding behavior of CLP children after surgery. It was a qualitative type of study that was conducted at Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) and SIBL Foundation Hospital. A total of 9 participants were selected. The data was collected through the semi-structured self-made questionnaire by the researcher from the mothers of CLP children who had done reconstructive surgery. Content analysis was used for this study analysis. The findings show that mother showed mixed understandings about feeding behaviour of CLP children. Most of the child's mothers reported that they were always trying to feed their children in a position where the child could feed properly. Most of them expressed that their children were still suffering a lot during feeding, even after the surgery. All of the participants reported that they had to suffer a lot for their children, such as a lot of time required to take proper care for their children, they couldn’t even get time to take care for themselves. Even mothers didn’t have any detailed idea about role of SLT in improving the feeding problem of CLP children. Overall, the mothers were not fully aware of improving their children’s feeding problem. Suggestions and active participation from the SLT will be necessary to improve their understanding and knowledge about feeding their children, which can improve the quality of their children's lives. Keywords: Mother’s experiences, Feeding Behaviour, Cleft Lip and Palate.