Amy Mendillo
"Rigorously researched, compassionate and practical... the go-to guide for parents of children born with cleft lip and/or palate."
Dr. John B. Mulliken
Director of the Craniofacial Center at Boston Children's Hospital, Professor of Surgery at Harvard Medical School
"The author is to be commended on the depth of information in this incredible piece of work...It is one of the most well-researched family-focussed resources of recent years."
Kenny Ardouin, BSLP, MSc
School of Psychology, Speech & Hearing, University of Canterbury
From June 2024 book review,
Cleft Palate Craniofacial Journal
I've Just Seen a Face
A Practical and Emotional Guide for Parents of Children Born with Cleft Lip and Palate, Year One and Beyond
Softcover and Ebook
Hearing the news of a baby’s cleft lip and palate can feel overwhelming for a parent. Amy Mendillo, health writer and cleft parent, has been there. Now, she has produced the most comprehensive guide ever written for parents of children born with clefts.
Based on extensive interviews with fellow parents and cleft-team pros—plus exhaustive research from medical literature—I've Just Seen a Face contains essential medical information, emotional insights, and insiders' tips to help parents with countless decisions, big and small, during the intense first year of treatment and beyond. It is also full of personable stories that will help parents feel more supported and less alone. This book contains:
• Basics on the condition and its treatment, explained in everyday language
• Guidance on preparing for surgery and recovery—and handling feelings along the way
• Honest discussions of issues like bonding with a baby, taking photos, and responding to strangers in public
• Step-by-step instructions on how to feed a cleft-affected baby, plus loads of inside tips and tricks
• Key lessons on speaking up for a baby in the delivery room, exam room, recovery room, and beyond
A warm and lively read, I’ve Just Seen a Face addresses the practical and emotional needs of families during a challenging time—and offers information, insights, and reassurance.
"I've Just Seen a Face is a true gift to parents of a cleft-affected infant. Based on years of research, interviews with cleft-team professionals, and intertwined with personal experience, this book is an encyclopedia for an often-overwhelming journey. It is simply a must for cleft teams to recommend to parents!.”
—Patricia Chibbaro, MSN, CPNP, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (retired),
The myFace Center for Craniofacial Care, NYU Langone Health
“I am struck by Amy Mendillo’s ability to clarify complicated ideas and make them approachable by infusing them with beautifully expressed personal experiences. This book will undoubtedly become a trusted companion for parents along their journey, shining light on a years-long process from a particularly well-informed parent’s point of view.”
—Lynn Fox, MA, MEd, CCC-SLP, Past-President, American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association; Associate Professor at University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill;
Speech-Language Pathologist at the UNC Craniofacial Center
Questions about the book? Contact the author, here.
I look forward to hearing from you!