Babies with cleft issues are born everywhere in the world. A cleft lip is an opening in the upper lip between the mouth and nose. A cleft palate is when the roof of the mouth has a hole in it. There are varying degrees of severity of this condition but thankfully all the structures of the mouth are present, they just need to be put together by a skillful plastic surgeon. Some surgeries take as little as 45 minutes. Children with cleft issues are being adopted at a growing rate. I personally know 6 children adopted from China with cleft issues. And actually many more from parents groups on listserves. Red Thread Charities has donated cleft nursers and given instruction on the care and feeding of children with cleft.