How to fix bottom lip latch?

Fixing a Bottom Lip Latch Issue
Proper latch-on is crucial for successful and comfortable breastfeeding. One common issue is a bottom lip latch, where the baby’s bottom lip is turned inward instead of flanged outward. This can lead to pain, poor milk transfer, and other breastfeeding challenges. Here’s how to fix a bottom lip latch:
1. Encourage a wide, open mouth: Before latching, gently stroke your baby’s lower lip to encourage them to open their mouth wide. This helps ensure the bottom lip flanges outward properly.
2. Position the baby correctly: Make sure your baby’s body is aligned with yours, facing your breast with their nose opposite your nipple. This positioning helps the baby latch deeply and get a good mouthful of breast.
3. Guide the latch: As your baby opens wide, quickly bring them to the breast, aiming to get as much of the areola into their mouth as possible. Gently stroke their lower lip outward with your finger to ensure it flanges out.
4. Check the latch: Once latched, you should see more of the areola above your baby’s top lip than below the bottom lip. The bottom lip should be flanged outward, not tucked in.
5. Adjust as needed: If the latch still seems off, gently break the suction and try latching again. You can also try different breastfeeding positions to find what works best.
With some practice and patience, you can help your baby achieve a proper, comfortable latch that supports successful, pain-free breastfeeding.

Why does my baby’s bottom lip curl under when breastfeeding?

Sometimes a baby will latch with their upper and/or lower lip curled in but simple adjustments can often be made to correct this after the latch. A little breast milk to moisten the latching area may be helpful.

Can a bad latch cause permanent damage?

Even after the latch does improve with treatment, some moms have experienced long term nerve damage that may not improve with time. Pain – This is one of the most common symptoms a mom experiences. Unfortunately, it’s one of the most commonly dismissed symptoms by healthcare providers.

Can babies get milk with a shallow latch?

A shallow latch is an insufficient attachment of the baby to the breast, which can cause discomfort for you and result in inadequate milk transfer to your baby.

Can a poor latch be fixed?

Yes! Absolutely. Give her time to learn, but also you the same time to learn to place her and adjust her latch. That was a big one for me – you can somewhat correct a bad latch by gently untucking her lips if not flanged, and making sure when you put her on you press her towards you gently.

Why is my baby’s bottom lip tucked?

This may suggest the presence of a lip tie. Babies are supposed to have enough flexibility to be able to flange their upper and lower lip out during feeds. If a baby can’t flange their upper lip, this can be due to a lip tie.

How do you fix a shallow latch when breastfeeding?

Below, we outline steps on how to get your baby to a deeper, more comfortable latch:

1. Encourage Baby to Open Wide. Encouraging your newborn to open their mouth wide before latching is crucial for a deep latch.
2. Adjust Positioning to Encourage Deep Latch.
3. Use Breast Compression.
4. Keep Practising.

What do nipples look like with a bad latch?

If your baby is not latched properly, you may notice a crease across the tip of your nipple when it comes out of your baby’s mouth. It may be shaped like a new tube of lipstick. Or it may look white at the tip.

How to get baby to open mouth wider for deeper latch?

Put the underside of your breast against your baby’s chin and that should signal to baby to open her mouth. It will push the jaw downward more.

How to get a deep latch with lip tie?

Shaping your breast into a ‘sandwich’ can help your baby get a deep latch. Squeeze your breast between your thumb on top of your breast and your fingers below. The ‘sandwich’ needs to be horizontal to your baby’s mouth, like your baby is eating a sandwich.

What is the flipple technique?

The Nipple Tilt Technique
This is also known as the “flipple” technique. Hold your breast with your thumb on top and your fingers on the bottom. Place your thumb well back from the base of the nipple. This is in line with where your baby’s upper lip will be once she has latched.