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NGO Smile Train India launch nutrition program for children with cleft lip
YB WEB DESK. Dated: 9/25/2021 12:04:07 PM
Jammu, Sep 24 NGO Smile Train, the world’s largest cleft care organization, and its partner hospital Bee Enn General Hospital in Jammu have launched a Nutrition Program specially for children born with cleft lip and palate. Children with cleft lip and palate are at an increased risk of being malnourished especially in the early months of life as they have a gap in their lip and/or palate, face difficulties in feeding and milk/food can spill out from their nose. Proper nutrition and guidance can ensure that children born with cleft lip and palate have a better chance at surviving infancy, being adequately nourished, and being healthy enough to receive safe surgical treatment. The newly launched nutrition program at Bee Enn General Hospital will counsel mother on how to feed and care for their child with cleft lip and palate, while also supporting the specialized nutritional needs of cleft affected children. Smile Train’s Nutrition Program includes 3 levels of support for feeding and nutrition: Feeding counseling for mothers and families including the protective benefits of breastfeeding; Nutrition assessment for patients with clefts and Nutrition support before and after surgery Speaking on the occasion, Sheila Koyyana, Program Director, Smile Train India said, “Smile Train believes that every baby born with a cleft must have the opportunity to thrive and grow, without being held back by any feeding challenges related to their cleft.