Table 3.

Comparison of Cleft Specific Nipples and Feeders

	Cleft Lip and Palate Nurser	Haberman Nipple	Pigeon Nipple
Nipple material	Latex	Silicon	Latex-free tan
Nipple hole	Cross-cut	Slit	Y-cut
Nipple characteristics	Longer; very firm	Soft; squeezable; long but able to shorten with Mini-Haberman	Wide; firm on top but soft on bottom
Flow rate variability	Varies with squeezing pressure by feeder	Three flow rates—slow, medium, fast	No variability faster flow rate
Control of feeding	No infant control Dependent on feeder	Infant has control; feeder may assist	Full control by infant
Oral motor pattern of infant during feeding	No active oral movement needed. Must have swallow ability	Needs increased jaw compressions to express milk	Most normal oral pattern with decreased jaw compressions and gentle tongue pumps
One-way valve	No valve	Valve present	Valve present
Able to thicken feeds	Yes	Yes—up to one teaspoon of rice per ounce	Yes—up to one teaspoon of rice per ounce
Care	Dishwasher safe	Should not be sterilized or placed in dishwasher	Should not be sterilized or placed in dishwasher
Complexity	Very easy to use and assemble (no valve)	Most difficult to assemble (two pieces to valve)	Easy to use and assemble (one piece to valve)
Appearance	Does not resemble a normal feeding device	Does not resemble a normal feeding device	Resembles a normal feeding device
Travel cap	Yes—soft plastic can be easily damaged	No	Yes—hard plastic hard to damage
Cost	Case of six for $19.00	One nipple with one valve and bottle for $22–$25	Two nipples, two valves, one rim and one bottle for $6–$8
Ordering/access	On line and by phone. Usually need credit card. May not order nipple separately from bottle.	On line and by phone. Usually need credit card. May not order nipple separately from bottle.	On line and by phone. Usually need credit card. May order nipple separately from bottle.