Feeding Strategies and Challenges in Infants with Cleft Lip and Palate: A Multidisciplinary Approach

Date/Time: Thursday, May 28th at 1:00 – 2:00 pm ET

Speakers:

Annie Deremeik, RD, CSP, LDN
Melisande Ploutz, CPNP-PC, CLC
Olivia Rachel, MS, CCC-SLP
Sarah Vetter, MS, CCC-SLP, MAEA
Amber Winston, MA, CCC-SLP, CLC

Description: Feeding infants with cleft and craniofacial differences presents unique challenges that require thoughtful preparation and ongoing support. This webinar brings together a multidisciplinary perspective to explore evidence-based, family-centered approaches to feeding. Presenters will address the impact of craniofacial anatomy on infant feeding, as well as the role of prenatal counseling in preparing caregivers, setting expectations, and reducing anxiety. The session will also examine commonly recommended feeding strategies, highlighting gaps in the evidence and encouraging more individualized, responsive approaches that support infant development and caregiver confidence. Attendees will gain practical insights to enhance clinical practice and better support families.

  • “But How Will My Baby Eat?”: The SLP Role in Prenatal Counseling for Families with Cleft and Craniofacial Disorders presented by Amber Winston, MA, CCC-SLP, CLC
  • Rethinking Prescriptive Feeding Guidelines for Infants with Cleft Lip and/or Palate: Integrating Clinical Experience with Best Research Evidence and Family-Centered Practice presented by Sarah Vetter, MS, CCC-SLP, MAEA, and Melisande Ploutz, CPNP-PC, CLC
  • Methods for Feeding and Growth Management in the First Year of Life presented by Olivia Rachel, MS, CCC-SLP, and Annie Deremeik, RD, CSP, LDN

Learning Objectives:
At the completion of this activity, learners will be able to:

  • Identify the impact of cleft and craniofacial differences on infant feeding.
  • Describe the role of prenatal counseling in preparing and supporting caregivers.
  • Apply evidence-based, individualized feeding strategies to support infant growth and caregiver confidence.

Learning Outcomes:
At the completion of this activity, learners will be able to:

  • Self-assess a gain in knowledge related to feeding support and growth management in infants with cleft and craniofacial differences.
  • Self-assess that they will improve their performance in their clinical practice based on knowledge gained.
  • Self-assess that they anticipate improved patient outcomes based on changes in their performance.

Teaching Methods: Lecture, Discussion, Q&A

Live attendees must claim credit by July 1, 2026.

 

Intended Learners
All healthcare professionals caring for people with cleft and craniofacial conditions, to include but not limited to:
Physicians
Dental Professionals
Speech Language Pathologists
Audiologists
Nurses (RNs, APNs, LPNs)
Dieticians
Psychologists
Social Workers
Physician Assistants

Accredited Continuing Education
ACPA is accredited by ACCME and ANCC, approved by ASHA, and recognized by ADA CERP, to provide accredited continuing education to physicians, nurses, SLPs, audiologists, and dentists.

Continuing Medical Education

The American Cleft Palate Craniofacial Association (ACPA) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The American Cleft Palate Craniofacial Association designates this live activity for 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.

Nursing Continuing Professional Development

The American Cleft Palate Craniofacial Association (ACPA) is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

This live educational activity is offered for 1.00 Nursing Continuing Professional Development (NCPD) contact hour.

American Nurses Credentialing Center

Continuing Dental Education

The American Cleft Palate Craniofacial Association (ACPA) is an ADA CERP Recognized Provider.

ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Association to assist dental professionals in identifying quality providers of continuing dental education. ADA CERP does not approve or endorse individual courses or instructors, nor does it imply acceptance of credit hours by boards of dentistry.

The American Cleft Palate Craniofacial Association designates this live activity for 1.00 continuing education credit.

Concerns or complaints about a CE provider may be directed to the provider or to the Commission for Continuing Education Provider Recognition at CCEPR.ADA.org.

 

Continuing Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Education

The American Cleft Palate Craniofacial Association (ACPA) is approved by the Continuing Education Board of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) to provide continuing education activities in speech-language pathology and audiology.

ASHA CE Provider Approval and use of the Brand Block does not imply endorsement of course content, specific products, or clinical procedures.

 

DISCLOSURES

All financial relationships have been mitigated.

Commercial Support: None

No Financial or Non-financial Relationships Declared.

Speakers:
Annie Deremeik, RD, CSP, LDN
Melisande Ploutz, CPNP, CLC
Olivia Rachel, MS, CCC-SLP
Amber Winston, MA, CCC-SLP, CLC

Planning Committee Members:
HyeRan Choo, DDS, DMD, MS
Joli C. Chou, DMD, MD (Board Liaison)
Paul Deitrick, MD, DMD, FACS
Kelly Evans, MD
Catharine B. Garland, MD (Chair)
Elizabeth Huette, RN
Aditi Kanth, MD
Heather Koehn, MD, MMHC
Katelyn Kotlarek, PhD, CCC-SLP
Sue Ann S. Lee, PhD, CCC-SLP
Margaret M. Lico, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC
Leanne Magee, PhD
Judy Marciel, MSN, RN, CPNP-PC, PCNS, CWCN, APN (Nurse Planner)
Catherine Mazzola, MD
Dianna Metzler, BS (National Office Team Liaison)
Caitlyn Reinauer, BS (National Office Team)
Jill Schechter, DDS
Sameer Shakir, MD, FACS
Amanda M. Smith, RN, BSN, CPN
Sherard Tatum, MD, FACS, FAAP
Cortney Vant Slot, MS, CCC-SLP

Financial and/or Non-financial Relationships Declared with Eligible Organizations.

Speaker:
Sarah Vetter, MS, CCC-SLP, MAEA – SLP Rater for CORNET and VPI/OPS Research Groups; Lead Speech-Language Pathologist, Lurie Children’s Data Collection Site for CORNET Cleft Outcomes Research Network

Planning Committee Member:
Linping Zhao, PhD – Stock Option Holder for Immersive Touch

Financial Relationship with Ineligible Company Declared; Relationship Not Topically Related to Presentation. No Non-financial Relationships Declared. All Financial Relationships Have Been Mitigated.

Planning Committee Member:
Sean P. Edwards, MD, DDS, FACS, FRCDC – Consultant for Stryker CMF

 

This webinar is supported by EduCleft through the Dawson Family Fund for Cleft and Craniofacial Education, Research and Innovation.