Caring for a child with cleft lip or cleft palate can be time-consuming and stressful, especially during your baby's first year. It is important that you do not neglect your own needs. In order to best care for your child, you need to be at your physical and emotional best. The following suggestions may help:

• Allow yourself time to adjust to your baby.
• Stay involved with hobbies, personal interests, and friends as much as possible.
• Give yourself some time off by asking others to help care for your child.
• Educate yourself about cleft lip and cleft palate. Knowing the different options available to you and your child will help you make good decisions about care and treatment.
• Talk with other parents of children with the condition.
• Join or form a local support group. Many organizations, such as the March of Dimes, provide information and support to parents of children with problems such as cleft palate. For more resources, see the Other Places to Get Help section of the topic Cleft Lip or Cleft Palate.