These deformities occur approximately once in every 800 births. There is a low risk of inheritance. The more severe types of cleft seem to also have a higher risk.
Clefts also occur as part of a group, or syndrome, of multiple birth defects.
The occurrence of further clefts in the family will depend on whether or not the syndrome is inherited. These clefts are single or double. Feeding A cleft lip alone does not interfere with feeding. When a cleft palate is present the baby is unable to suck, but it is important to remember that it can swallow normally. When milk is dribbled onto the back of the baby's tongue through a large hole in a large teat of a squeezy plastic bottle the baby swallows the feed normally.