Presented by Lakeland Regional Health + Nemours Children's Hospital
Early diagnosis and coordinated care help children with cleft lip, palate, and craniofacial differences thrive. | Photo provided by Lakeland Regional Health
Lakeland Regional Health (LRH) and Nemours Children’s Health are working together to provide specialized pediatric plastic surgery services in Lakeland, focusing on cleft and craniofacial differences.
With a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach, the team offers early diagnosis, surgical treatment, and coordinated care to support children and families.
Understanding cleft lip and palate
Around 7,000 babies are born each year in the U.S. with a cleft lip or palate — that’s 1 in every 600 babies.
Cleft lips can often be diagnosed in utero, allowing families to meet with providers for prenatal consultation. These visits help reassure parents and prepare them, including learning how to feed a baby with a cleft.
Surgeries to repair a cleft lip or palate usually occur within the first 12 months of life.
Early diagnosis is essential for feeding and weight gain, hearing and language development, and surgical planning.
Coordinated, specialized care
Children with clefts and other craniofacial differences benefit from the expertise of an interdisciplinary team. This includes:
Plastic surgeons
Ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialists
Audiologists
Speech pathologists
Dentists and orthodontists
This coordinated care ensures that every aspect of a child’s health and development is addressed.
Complex cranial conditions
For children with craniosynostosis — a condition where the skull bones fuse too early — LRH and Nemours work closely with neurosurgery. Treatments may include releasing fused areas and expanding the skull bones to protect the eyes and brain.
Early diagnosis is critical to qualify for minimally invasive procedures, such as removing a fused strip of bone, followed by post-operative helmet therapy.
These minimally invasive surgeries are most effective when performed within the first two to three months of life.
Through their partnership, LRH and Nemours are helping families in Lakeland access advanced pediatric plastic surgery services close to home.
Our ideal day: Dance classes at the Magnolia Building, followed by brunch at Garden Bistro on the bottom floor. | Photo via City of Lakeland
Goodbye, 9-5. If you (or someone you know) recently retired, you might be looking for activities catering to older adults. Clock into our retirement guide, and find opportunities in Lakeland that work for you.
Lakeland Seniors Dance & Social Club | Head to the Magnolia Building today and every Thursday at 10 a.m. to learn ballroom, Latin, swing, and party dances.
Florida Children’s Museum | If a family has a membership, grandparents or caregivers can be added on as qualifying members for $20.
Polk Theatre | This month, you can see your favorite classic Halloween movies on the big screen, from “Creature from the Black Lagoon” to “The Thing.”
RSVP Polk | The local chapter of this national network for volunteers ages 55+ offers several opportunities at sites like food pantries and kindergarten classrooms.
The Rath Senior ConNEXTions Center | The next round of Senior Scholars classes begins the week of Oct. 13. Topics cover technology, aging, genealogy, and architecture.
The Lakeland Water Utilities department is replacing lead pipe connectors in the Beacon Hill area after trace amounts of lead were found in the water system. While the city says that amount is normal for historic neighborhoods, it plans to keep replacing outdated pipes citywide. (Bay News 9)
Development
Prima 135 is nearly out of the design phase, and the downtown steakhouse is now projected to open next summer. When building permits are in hand, the owners of the former Florida National Bank building on Tennessee Avenue will transform it into an upscale restaurant, prime for date nights. (LkldNow)
Try This
Head downtown tomorrow night for the First Friday Cookie Carnival. Local bakers will sell their best creations, and a select few Lakelanders will be chosen as official cookie judges. Sign up by texting “FFCOOKIE” to 863-999-0030 — judges will be notified today at 12 p.m.
Quoted
“Spooky season came early for us this year,” said Botany Cats after the generator it uses for its trailer and air conditioning gave out. The mobile cat lounge is accepting donations via GoFundMe to replace the generator, and you can get a free 30-minute visit with the cats for every $5 donated.
Seasonal
Wonder House tours are back for the Halloween season, running from Saturday, Oct. 4 through Saturday, Nov. 1. Book a tour during the day or at night, or go paranormal with a ghost-hunting tour. Hold tight, holiday lovers — Christmas tours will open in November.
Number
607. That’s how many drinks were ordered during Black & Brew’s Pumpkin Latte Giveaway last week, with donations going to United Way of Central Florida and The Early Learning Coalition. Keep the pumpkin spice flowing with our seasonal treat roundup, with everything from coffee to ice cream.
Festival
Heading to Harvest Days this month? Keel Farms shared what to know before you go, from where you can park to how to order without the traditional table service. Bonus: Stay after the Harvest Days events end at 3 p.m. for nightly activities like karaoke and outdoor movies.
The Word
Cryptid. That’s a creature that has never been proven to exist, like Bigfoot or Florida’s skunk ape. Celebrate these figures of folklore and those who investigate them at the Moonlit Legends Cryptids Expo on Saturday, Oct. 11, 4-7 p.m. at Homeland Heritage Park.
Your must-have Halloween decor to celebrate the season, ranging from how cute to oh my:
👻 These three ceramic ghost lights are almost too cute to stand (and come with batteries).
🕯️ A No. 1 best-seller, this floating candle set will add flickering, cozy warmth to any Halloween display.
🧹 Floating witch hats show your Halloween spirit and are perfect for a party.
🕸️ The Addams family would approve of this black lace spiderweb cover decking out your mantle.
☠️ Make the neighbors do a double-take with a best-selling hands and skull set popping out of your yard.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
Will this be the year I’m finally chosen as a Cookie Carnival judge? I’ve thrown my name in the hat for the past three years, so I’ve got a chocolate chip on my shoulder. Even if I’m not chosen, I’ll still be there tomorrow night to pick my unofficial favorite flavor.
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