When a baby has trouble feeding or breathing, parents often want answers right away. Families searching for help for a baby with a cleft lip may also be trying to understand where to turn, what questions to ask, and whether support is available.
At Little Baby Face Foundation, we know these moments can bring uncertainty. In our experience, families benefit most from a clear next step rather than overwhelming medical information. That is why our first step is simple: families can complete our confidential online application, and our medical team will review the information to determine whether we may be able to help.
You do not need to have every answer before taking the first step. Many families begin simply by looking for a place to turn and a clearer sense of what comes next.
Why Can Feeding or Breathing Concerns Feel So Urgent?
Feeding and breathing are basic parts of a child’s everyday well-being. When either becomes difficult, families may find themselves searching for information while also trying to care for their child.
We have heard from families who arrive at LBFF with many questions and a strong desire to understand what comes next. Every child is different, however, and information found online cannot determine what an individual child needs.
LBFF provides no-cost reconstructive care for children with facial differences who are accepted into our program. Our world-class volunteer medical professionals bring specialized expertise to the children we serve.
If you are concerned about your child’s immediate health or safety, contact an appropriate healthcare professional or emergency service where you live.
What Should Families Do When Looking for Help for a Baby With a Cleft Lip?
You do not need to figure out on your own whether your child is eligible for LBFF’s care.
The first step is to apply.
Our confidential application gives our medical team the information needed to review your child’s circumstances. The team then determines eligibility and whether LBFF may be able to provide care. The goal is to give families a clear next step without asking them to figure everything out on their own.
Applying does not guarantee acceptance or a particular medical outcome. It begins the review process. It is okay to still have questions when you apply. You can start with the information you have today.
What Happens If a Child Is Accepted for Care?
One of the biggest questions families may have is how they could afford specialized reconstructive care, especially when travel is involved.
For children accepted into our program, LBFF provides care at no cost to their families. Volunteer medical professionals donate their expertise, while the Foundation helps cover critical expenses associated with care, including surgery-related costs, travel, and accommodations.
This model reflects the reason LBFF exists: to provide world-class, no-cost care to children with facial differences, regardless of their family’s ability to pay.
We also understand that families may come to us from different countries, cultures, and circumstances. Our goal is to make the process as clear and supportive as possible.
A simple next step: If your child has a facial difference and your family is looking for help, complete our confidential online application. Our medical team will review it to determine whether we can help.
Finding Support Without Trying to Find Every Answer Online
Searching online can be useful for learning about organizations and available resources. But a search result or blog article cannot tell you whether a particular procedure or approach is appropriate for your child.
That distinction matters.
We want families to leave our resources feeling informed about how to seek help, not feeling responsible for making medical decisions based on something they read online.
For many families, simply having a place to turn can make the process feel less overwhelming. Our goal is to offer a clear path forward and help you feel supported as you consider your options.
If your child has a facial difference and you are exploring possible support, we encourage you to learn more about our work through our main resource on care for children with facial differences, then complete the LBFF application when you are ready.
Apply today to begin the confidential review process.
Learn More About Clefts
Want to better understand clefts and related facial differences? Read our “Clefts, Nasal Clefts, and Nasal Atresia: A Parent Guide” for clear, parent-friendly information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for help if my baby has a cleft lip?
Yes. Families of children with cleft lip, cleft palate, and other facial differences can submit LBFF’s confidential application for review. Applying does not guarantee treatment, but it allows the medical team to determine whether the child may be eligible for care through the Foundation.
What information should I have ready before applying to LBFF?
Families should be prepared to share basic information about their child and their facial difference through our confidential online application. Our medical team uses that information to review eligibility. Medical history, information about previous care, and clear photos of the affected area may also help the medical team review the application.
Can families outside the United States apply for help?
LBFF supports families from different countries. Families can begin by submitting our confidential online application so our medical team can review whether we may be able to help. Coverage depends on the child’s approved care plan and LBFF’s current policies.
What costs does LBFF cover if a child is accepted for care?
For children accepted into our program, we provide care at no cost to families and help cover critical expenses such as surgery-related costs, anesthesia, travel, and lodging.
Does my child need a confirmed diagnosis before applying?
Not necessarily. Families can still apply even if they do not yet have a confirmed diagnosis. Start with the information you have available. During the interview process, our medical team may ask for additional information or require further testing, lab work, or photos before determining whether your child can be accepted for care.
Does applying guarantee surgery or treatment?
No. Submitting an application begins LBFF’s medical review process but does not guarantee acceptance, surgery, or a particular outcome. Each child’s circumstances are reviewed individually.
