A cleft lip and palate repair surgery is required when a child is born with a cleft lip and palate. During the first 6 to 10 weeks of pregnancy, the skin and bones of a baby’s nose, mouth, and upper jaw fuse together to form the roof of the mouth and the upper lip. A cleft happens when parts of the lip and/or palate do not fuse together completely. Clefts are usually found after the birth of the child. There are times when they are evident during prenatal ultrasounds as well. A cleft palate is harder to see without a cleft lip. Medical professionals usually detect a cleft palate after looking and feeling inside a baby’s mouth during the first newborn exam. A cleft lip and palate can cause problems with feeding, speech development, hearing, and the overall growth and development of a child. Therefore, a cleft lip and palate surgery needs to be conducted while the child is still young.