Every baby deserves the best start in life
Every baby deserves the best start in life
Three babies are born with a cleft every day in the UK. Many of these babies are unable to create a vacuum with their mouth enabling them to suck. This means they can’t breastfeed or use regular bottles.
The birth of a baby can be an anxious time for many parents. But for parents of babies born with a cleft, the added pressure of not being able to feed their baby – and the worry they are not getting enough nourishment to thrive – is incredibly distressing.
CLAPA is the only supplier of specialist cleft feeding bottles in the UK. We supply a free Welcome Pack to each new family affected by cleft – giving hope and comfort to new parents struggling to feed their babies. These special bottles and teats made for babies born with a cleft mean new parents can leave the hospital sooner and enjoy bonding with their baby at home.
Will you help us to be there for every new baby in need?
Cooper’s mother told us:
The bottle feeds were a time of immense pride as we saw him grow stronger. The first time he took a full feed from his bottle after six days, I cried with happiness. The MAM bottles were such an important part of our story. Just a little plastic bottle – a beacon of hope in such a difficult time.
Benjamin’s parents told us:
He was having ready-made bottles with the teats and only managing 5mls at the most. That was until we noticed his cleft and he got these specialist bottles. What a life saver these are and a must for every baby born with a cleft lip and/or palate.
Why we need your help
CLAPA receives no government or NHS funding. Which is why we desperately need your help, because services like this are only possible thanks to your donations.
By making a regular gift of £10 a month towards our work, you will give CLAPA the gift of an income we can rely on. If you aren’t able to commit to a regular gift, any amount you can give would be greatly appreciated.
How your regular donation can make a difference
- £10 a month can support postage for Welcome Packs of special bottles, teats and information to new families.
- £25 a month could provide six Welcome Packs of special bottles, teats and information to a new family each year.
- £50 a month could pay for a Welcome Pack of special bottles, teats and information for a new family each month.
Will you commit to a regular gift of £10 a month, to help give every baby the best start in life?
If you aren’t able to commit to a regular gift, please consider making a one-off gift. Any amount you can give would be greatly appreciated.
Make a one-off gift
Our Welcome Packs
As well as specialist feeding bottles and teats, our Welcome Packs contain literature on cleft, guidance on how to cope, and information on CLAPA’s support services for families affected by cleft.
They are a lifeline for parents of babies born with a cleft in the UK, and are essential in reassuring families they are not alone.
We urgently need your help to keep our Welcome Packs and other services FREE and accessible for all families that need them.
Learn More
Support by Fundraising
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Support Awareness week
Join CLAPA, the UK’s cleft lip and palate charity, each May as we share stories, bust myths, and celebrate the cleft community, all while raising funds to support our life-changing work.
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Fundraising at Work
From dress-down-days to nominating us for match funding, there are so many ways your workplaces can support CLAPA's vital services.
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Shop and get a free donation to CLAPA
Use Easy Fundraising's simple browser extension to generate donations when you shop at hundreds of online shops, including M&S, Booking.com, and JustEat! Turn your next takeaway into a free donation to CLAPA with just a few clicks.
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Take on a challenge
Join #TeamCLAPA by signing up for one of the many challenge events available all over the UK. From 5Ks with the family to ultra-marathons, we've got you covered!
