Most times, cleft lip repair is done when the child is 6 to 12 weeks old. Most times, cleft palate repair is done when the child is older, between 9 months and 1 year old. This allows the palate to change as the baby grows. Doing the repair when the child is this age will help prevent further speech problems as the child develops. During these procedures, the surgeon may also need to repair the tip of your child’s nose. This surgery is called rhinoplasty.