Cleft Feeding Support Membership
Feeding a Baby With a Cleft Doesn’t Have to Feel Overwhelming
Who This Membership Is For
This membership is for you if:
- Your baby has a cleft lip, cleft palate, or both
- You’re feeding with expressed breastmilk, formula, or a combination
- You want clear guidance instead of conflicting advice
- You want to feel confident, not constantly anxious about feeding
You do not need to have it all figured out. You just need support.
About me
Hi, I’m Carli.
I’m a speech pathologist with over 17 years of experience, and for many years I worked as part of a hospital-based cleft team, supporting families with feeding and speech/language challenges related to a wide range of cleft diagnoses.
I also run a private practice and have supported many families in their own homes, helping them troubleshoot real-time feeding challenges in the thick of everyday life, not just in clinic rooms.
Families have often told me how overwhelming a cleft diagnosis felt, and how feeding their baby was one of the hardest parts. Especially when they didn’t feel properly supported.
That’s exactly why I created this membership.
I’m also a mum of one, and I know what it’s like to be in the trenches with a baby… tired, worried, and just wanting to know you’re doing the right thing.
This space is a combination of professional expertise and deep compassion for what you’re carrying.
If your baby has a cleft lip and/or palate, feeding can feel overwhelming, emotional, and anything but straightforward.
You might be:
- Wondering if your baby is getting enough milk
- Feeling anxious every feed and counting every millilitre
- Getting conflicting advice from different professionals
- Trying bottles, teats, positions, schedules but you’re still feeling unsure
- Carrying the constant weight of “Am I doing this right?”
- Have just received a cleft diagnosis and don’t know where to start
I want you to know this first:
You are not failing.
Feeding a baby with a cleft is different and you deserve specialised, compassionate support that actually understands that difference.
Welcome to the Cleft Feeding Support Membership
A gentle, expert-led membership designed to support parents of babies with a cleft to feed their baby successfully, confidently, and without constant stress.
This is not generic feeding advice. This is not trial-and-error Googling at 3am.
This is calm, clear guidance, and ongoing support, from someone who truly understands cleft feeding.
What You’ll Find Inside the Membership
Step-by-Step Cleft Feeding Education
Clear, practical lessons that walk you through at your own pace, as many times as you want.
How cleft affects feeding
- Types of clefts
- How each type impacts feeding
- Common feeding challenges/what’s normal for babies with a cleft
Feeding options
- Breastfeeding
- Overview of specialised cleft bottles
- How to choose the right bottle
- Demonstration of common cleft bottles
Strategies for successful feeding
- Responsive feeding
- Positioning
- Pacing
- Flow rate
- Reducing nasal regurgitation and reflux symptoms
- Troubleshooting challenges
Other considerations
- Dummies/pacifiers
- Nasoalveolar moulding (NAM)
- Feeding after surgery
Further support
- What’s not normal for babies with a cleft
- When and where to seek extra support
Everything is explained in simple language, without overwhelm.
Just getting the information isn’t enough though, so you also get access to support.
Ongoing Expert Support
- Ask questions as they come up
- Get reassurance when you’re unsure
- Learn what’s normal and when to adjust
Because feeding challenges don’t follow a neat timeline, and neither should support.
A Safe, Understanding Community
Inside the membership, you’ll be surrounded by other parents who get it.
Parents who understand:
- The emotional load of cleft feeding
- The appointments, the weighing, the worry
- The relief of being understood without explaining everything
This is a calm, non-judgmental space where no question is too small.
Imagine this...
You know exactly how to feed your baby in a way that works for their anatomy
You feel calm and prepared before feeds, not tense and second-guessing
You understand bottles, positioning, pacing, volumes, and cues
You stop spiralling after every weigh-in
You feel supported (rather than alone) on this journey
That confidence is not out of reach.
It comes from the right information, at the right time, with the right support.
How the Membership Works
This membership is designed to support you week by week, not just give you information and leave you to figure it out.
Inside, you’ll receive:
- On‑demand video lessons you can watch in your own time, covering cleft‑specific feeding education from the early days onward
- A private online community for connection, reassurance, shared experience with other cleft parents, daily check ins from me for smaller “quick” questions
- Weekly live Q&A sessions with me, where you can ask questions, troubleshoot feeds, and get real‑time guidance
You can use the membership in whatever way supports you most: watching lessons, asking questions, or simply knowing support is there when you need it.
You Don’t Have to Do This Alone
So many parents tell me “I wish I’d had support earlier.”
Feeding a baby with a cleft can feel isolating but it doesn’t have to be.
Inside this membership, you’ll find:
- Knowledge that actually applies to your baby
- Support that continues as your baby grows
- Reassurance that you’re doing an incredible job
Frequently Asked Questions
This membership is designed to support families with a wide range of cleft presentations. While every baby is unique, the education and support inside are highly applicable, and weekly Q&As allow you to ask questions specific to your baby.
Yes! All feeding methods are supported here. The goal is that your baby is fed, growing, and that you feel confident and supported.
Absolutely. Many families join once feeding challenges become clearer. You can jump straight to the content that’s most relevant to your stage.
That’s wonderful. This membership doesn’t replace hospital support, it can complement that care by offering ongoing, accessible feeding support between appointments.
You’re not alone. This membership is designed to reduce overwhelm by giving you clear guidance and a supportive place to ask questions as they come up.
Yes, absolutely. Many parents join after a prenatal cleft diagnosis. This is a really valuable time to learn about feeding, understand what to expect, and feel more prepared and supported before your baby arrives. Having this knowledge ahead of time can make those early feeding days feel far less overwhelming.
Reach out to me if you have any questions about the membership. I’m more than happy to have a chat to you!
Foundation Pricing
For a limited time, foundation pricing is available:
$57 per month
Or
$237 for 12 months (less than the cost of one 1:1 home visit session with me)
This gives you ongoing education, weekly access to me, and a supportive community, without the pressure of booking repeated private appointments.
Feeding needs change over time, so the yearly option allows to you stay supported as things evolve, with full access at a reduced price.
You don’t have to figure this all out on your own.
This is a place to get clear guidance, steady support, and feel more confident as you feed your baby.
If that feels like what you need right now, you’re so welcome to join us.
You are doing an incredible job for your baby, and you don’t have to do this alone.