Several people have asked about Levi's cleft lip and whether he will have to have surgery. Although there is nothing set in stone yet, this is what we know so far:
- Levi's palette is intact. It is arched slightly higher on one side and the two sides are not equal, but the doctors we have seen said that it is not a problem and will not need surgery.
- There is a "nick" in his gum that will need to be repaired.
- His lip is cleft directly in the midline, which according to the plastic surgeon (Dr. A), is pretty unusual. The surgeon is consulting with his partners over the weekend and we find out on Monday if they are going to refer us to a specialist or if they will do the surgery. If Dr. A does the surgery, he wants to wait until Levi is 10-12 weeks old.
- Levi is nursing great - not hindered at all by his lip or gum. I'm thankful to be able to breastfeed him since I had such a hard time with Lily! I've not been producing enough milk to satisfy him so we are supplementing with goat's milk. I'm taking tons of Fenugreek, drinking tons of water and Mother's Milk Tea, and eating lots of calories. Hopefully my supply will pick up - but I'm not stressed out about it. I'm incredibly thankful for each day that he gets breastmilk.
Ya'll have a great weekend!
He is so beautiful and my prayers are with y'all as y'all figure out what is best for Levi. So glad it is minor and that he is able to nurse! What a special bond it is! Love you girl! I'll be trekking out to your part of the country this weekend and I am way excited! I wish Demopolis was closer to y'all though!
ReplyDeleteI will be praying with you about Monday then! Praying for God to lead you to the right surgeon at the right time!
ReplyDeleteHe's a sure example of the wonders that God can do. He is absolutely precious. I'm getting the baby bug just looking at him.
ReplyDeleteHave I mentioned how happy I am for yall. I know your house is pretty much overflowing with love right now.
levi is precious. and perfect. and i pray that y'all will figure out what's best for him at the best time. i'm so glad that it's minor and that he's still able to nurse. :) again, he's beautiful. & i'm so happy for y'all! i hope that lily is adjusting well!
ReplyDeleteHe is just beautiful! I've worked with a lot of children with clefts and his looks so minimal. Once it is repaired I bet no one will even remember it was there. I hope you are getting lots of rest with your two babes! Lots of prayers and happy thoughts for a great appointment on Monday!
ReplyDeleteHe is beautiful and perfect. Hopefully you will have all of the information you need on Monday. Praying all goes well with whatever procedures are done in the future.
ReplyDeleteWill be praying. We had a concern with both our daughters that if it had really been a problem, would have required surgery. But that is as far as I can relate--for the rest I ask the spirit to intercede and give grace for things that I do not know how to pray for. And He will!
ReplyDeleteI briefly used Fenugreek before for nursing. Eating oatmeal daily also can help with supply, as well as nursing (or at least, putting him to breast, if you don't seem to have enough supply) as frequently as he seems to desire.
Levi is beautiful. I'm enjoying seeing his pictures. He's got those big eyes like his sissy and momma.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you are loving being mommy to two little ones. Children are such a precious gift.
Goat milk is a good choice for supplementation. Sounds like you're doing everything possible to increase your milk supply.
Continuing to praise God with you for your precious babe.
Love,
Lynnette
What a blessing that things look so fixable. I'll be praying for you guys. Addison had her first surgery when she was three weeks old. It's a huge lesson in learning to trust God with your baby's life- a lesson that I think every mom could benefit from- as awful as that sounds. It just gives you a brand new perspective on trust and peace.
ReplyDeleteWill they do a local for the repair or a general anesthesia?
Congrats on his birth! I've been away for a bit from reading blogs so I didn't see that he had arrived! My friend's baby had a cleft lip and palate and you can't even tell today that she even had it!
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