What kind of bottles should I use if my baby has cleft lip and palate?

Medela makes a bottle designed just for this called the Special Needs Feeder.  It's also called a Haberman feeder or bottle.

Please consult with your doctor or other health professional to make sure this information is right for your child. END FACTSHEETS' TOP There is a choice of bottles and teats available for babies with cleft conditions. The bottles are made of soft, squeezable plastic. The teats are specially designed to help the baby draw milk from the bottle even with very little pressure of the tongue against the teat. The speech pathologist or Clinical Nurse Consultant at your Cleft Palate Clinic will be able to advise you on the most suitable type of bottle and teat to use for your baby. They can also provide you with information about where you can purchase these products. Alternatively, information about purchasing bottles and teats can be found on the fact sheet: "Cleft palate feeding bottles and teats." If your baby is able to feed effectively with a standard teat and bottle available from supermarkets or chemists, there is no obligation to use any special equipment. When you first get a squeeze bottle, it is a good idea to practice squeezing a water filled bottle over a sink before feeding. This will give you some idea about how firmly and frequently the bottle needs to be squeezed to get a steady flow of milk. Establish a rhythm of squeezing the bottle just after the baby suckles. Allow the baby to swallow the milk before squeezing again.

• There is no particular formula designed for babies with cleft conditions. If in doubt about the most suitable one, consult a GP, early childhood nurse or paediatrician.
• Clean the area around the cleft thoroughly after each feed with a cotton bud and sterile water.
• Sterilise the squeeze bottles and teats in solution for no longer than one hour so that they will last longer.
• If the baby is fitted with a plate and there are concerns about feeding, talk to the orthodontist and speech pathologist in the Cleft Palate team.
• Develop their feeding skills in the same way and at the same times as other babies. For example, solids are introduced from around6 months of age.
• Should gain weight at similar rates to other babies without cleft conditions.
• Should not cough and choke at every feed. If this happens, please consult the speech pathologist at your cleft palate clinic.