Neonatal feeding of infants born with cleft lip and/or palate (CLP) requires certain modifications to meet their nutritional requirements. Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the feeding methods used by parents of babies with CLP that are treated in the Center for Craniofacial Disorders at the UPR School of Dentistry. Method: The sample was composed of 11 infants with CLP and 13 control subjects. Both groups of neonates were similar in terms of demographic characteristics and parents. Feeding methods were assessed by using responses given to a questionnaire by the parents and by clinical evaluation of neonates. The data collected was analyzed in EPI-INFO Program for descriptive statistics and Chi Square test. Results: Statistical analysis showed that family history was related to the type of clinical presentation infants. In affected infants, CLP was present in 73%, while 27% had cleft lip. All mothers of CLP group were educated about their infant's condition but not about breast-feeding. Significant differences were obtained when comparing mean duration of breast-feeding of control and CLP groups: 20.5 min vs. 41.7 min (p=0.02) and 21.4 min vs. 43.3 min, (p=0.01) during the day and night, respectively. Significant differences were found for type of feeding, duration of formula and amount of milk or formula per feeding (p=0.00). Fifty four percent of the mothers of control group breast-fed their infant while only one infant in the CLP group was breast-fed. Most of the infants with CLP sucked their finger in a dorsal position. There was a tendency that infants that were breast-fed had a lower incidence of non-nutritive sucking habits (p=0.01). Conclusion: The results of the study indicate that infants with CLP need special care in terms of feeding methods. Mothers need to be properly educated on how to feed their children.

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