Anne Clutz Gives Update On Baby Jirou's Cleft Lip And Palate Condition: 'Laban Lang Tayo'

Anne Clutz's heart is filled with joy and pride for overcoming the struggles of caring for a newborn with cleft lip and palate.

Her third baby Jirou, whom she gave birth to on September 8, 2022 (read here), doesn't only have a cleft palate, just like her second child Joo, but also a cleft lip. Baby Jirou is also suspected to have Down Syndrome, while Joo has been diagnosed with Level 3 Autism Spectrum.

The makeup guru and content creator, whose real name is Joanne Clutario, recalled in one of her social media posts that she and her husband Kitz Clutario found quite useful the special needs feeder, especially on Baby Jirou's first 24 hours.

A week later, Anne wrote in another post that her "baby happy" had already "gained weight after all the struggles na pinagdaanan namin the first couple of days."

She went on explaining that "very critical 'yung first week for babies with cleft lip and palate" because it's the "adjustment phase ng mommy and baby." Mommy would be wondering about baby, "Kaya ba n'ya mag-latch?" Plus a lot more concerns.

But Anne pointed out that she "cannot be grateful enough" that she and her baby overcame the obstacles during Baby Jirou's first week. She also thanked, in her post, her newborn for being patient with her and her husband's efforts.

The mom of three marked her bunso's first month as "first taping day" for Baby Jirou received his initial lip tape therapy.

Anne explained in another post: "Sa mga nagtatanong po, 'yung taping nakakatulong po to bring his lips closer together (better if done early kasi malambot pa ang cartilage and skin ng newborns) in preparation for his cleft repair and para ma-improve din pagsuck nya while feeding."

She also celebrated her newborn's first month with a photo shoot showing a bundled up Baby Jirou in cute scenarios and poses.

In one of her posts sharing snaps from the photo shoot, she addressed those people asking, “Ano ba 'yan, bakit nagphotoshoot pa ng baby, di ba nakakahiya 'yan paglaki n'ya?”

Anne wrote in the caption: "Sa totoo lang po, mami-miss ko 'yang cleft na 'yan once ma-operahan na s'ya. You will learn to love your child regardless, cleft or no cleft. I remember someone messaged me before na hanggat maaari kumuha ka ng maraming picture ni baby kasi mami-miss mo 'yung cleft n'ya, lalo na pag na-operahan na.

"After all, ganyan s'ya binigay ng Diyos, konting repair lang para maiayos ang feeding at pagsasalita n'ya. Siguro po depende naman po 'yan kung paano n'yo po i-instill sa bata. Ang sure lang ako eh I want my kids to be #cleftproud kasi warriors ko sila.

"They taught us more about life, sila ang nagbibigay strength sa amin and I will forever be grateful. #cleftstrong"

Anne also expressed her gratitude to those who understand: "Sobrang pasasalamat po sa mga parents na nag-share ng photos ng #cleftwarriors nila on my recent post. My heart is happy knowing na maraming #cleftproud mommies and daddies out there helping to spread awareness."

In her latest post, October 3, Anne got extra real with what she and Baby Jirou are going through. She admitted, "Today was tough. Pero wala tayong hindi kakayanin, Baby Jirou!"

She explained that her newborn has been given a nasoalveolar molding (NAM). It's a "nonsurgical method of reshaping the gums, lip and nostrils before cleft lip and palate surgery" to lessen the severity of the condition, according to the Seattle's Children.

Anne happily reported that Baby Jirou is "adjusting well." She then gave a few suggestions, based on how their "lovely" dentist performed the procedure. She said "start muna with obturator" for the palate "for a week para maka-adjust na s'ya dun."

The palatal obturator is similar to dental retainers. It restores or improves mastication, or chewing, as well as swallowing and speaking in patients with palatal defects, according to the United States National Library of Medicine.

Anne also suggested that a week after putting on the palatal obturator is a good time for the baby to receive the nasal stent. It is a pair of small soft tubes placed in the patient's nostrils after cleft lip surgery to help the nostrils keep their shape while the surgery wound is healing, according to Kids Health.

She said that a lead time of one week is ideal "para hindi overwhelming kay baby and for parents na rin."

Anne ended her post telling Baby Jirou, "Love you my brave lil boy, laban lang tayo," and using the hashtags #cleftstrong #bilateralcleftlipandpalate."

Read more about cleft lip and palate here.