Introduction The development of dental and craniofacial structures in children is significantly influenced by their oral habits. Nonetheless, children affected by orofacial clefts may display distinctive oral behaviors influenced by the intricate interaction of anatomical, physiological, and psychological elements related to their condition. If these habits remain unattended, they may exacerbate the difficulties experienced by children with orofacial clefts, potentially resulting in disruptions to dental and facial growth and compromising the effectiveness of their treatment. Materials and methods A cross-sectional study at Saveetha Dental College's orofacial cleft and craniofacial center involved 40 participants. Parents or caretakers voluntarily completed a questionnaire about their children's oral habits. Ethical considerations were followed, and informed consent was obtained. Only completed questionnaires were analyzed using descriptive statistics and SPSS software, ensuring data reliability. Results From the results, we can conclude that cleft disorders influenced the prevalence of oral habits, with lower prevalence of thumb sucking and higher prevalence of mouth breathing habits in children with cleft lip and palate. Discussion and conclusion This preliminary study aims to offer essential initial insights into the occurrence of oral habits in South Indian children with cleft lip and palate. The results will lay the groundwork for extensive future research, guiding focused interventions to enhance oral health and well-being for these individuals. Ultimately, the study's knowledge may advance clinical practices and improve the quality of life for South Indian children with cleft disorders and beyond.