A good latch is key to a successful breastfeeding relationship, but if your baby doesn’t naturally latch on well, you need to figure out how to help the situation. It becomes increasingly challenging if your baby has a tongue tie or physical issue that prevents them from latching onto enough of the areola. That’s when the flipple latch technique comes into play.
Good positioning and latching are essential for maintaining milk production. When your baby attaches deeply to the breast, she can remove milk effectively. That’s essential for keeping your supply and also for your baby’s growth and development.
If you’re struggling or facing nipple pain, try the exaggerated latch. It should take your issues away!
How to Use the Flipple Latch Technique
The exaggerated latch aims to get the deepest latch possible, which is perfect when you have cracked or damaged nipples. It also can work if your baby has a tongue or lip tie that makes latching difficult, along with any other medical condition that might make latching harder. The flipple technique also is suitable for any mother and baby who needs help deepening their latch and taking more of the breast into their mouth.
P.C.: YouTube!
Here’s what you need to do to get the flipple latch down properly.
Get your baby into a comfortable, supported position. This technique can work no matter how you hold them, whether you have your baby cradled or laid back.
Now, you’ll want to put your thumb or finger above your nipple, lining up with your baby’s lip. Your finger will be above your areola, and you’ll press downward, which will move your nipple upward.
If you press above your nipple, your breast will naturally tilt upward, which means your baby will face your breast, not your nipple. He won’t be able to latch just yet. You don’t want to press or shove your nipple into his mouth; that will cause a bad latch and damage your nipples.
Your baby’s instinct will cause your baby to open his mouth wide, bring him close, and let your breast gently fall into his mouth. This technique will cause your nipple to land right at the best spot in his mouth to be pulled back towards his soft palate.
Are you still confused? You can watch an easy to understand video from The Milk Meg to help you get it correct.
Is There a Better Position for the Exaggerated Latch?
You can use this latch technique in any position; I’ve used it multiple times in the cradle and laid-back positions. However, if you can pair the flipple latch technique with the koala breastfeeding position, it’s even more effective to get a deep latch.
Using the koala hold is helpful because you can get your knees lower than your hips, making it easier for many mothers. You can help your baby latch on your nipple properly without struggling to line up with your baby’s mouth in this position.
Final Thoughts
Getting the right latch is a vital part of breastfeeding, and if you and your baby are struggling to do so, using the flipple latch technique could be the answer. This technique encourages deep latching to reduce any discomfort you might experience while allowing your baby to remove milk from the breast efficiently.
Hey, this is Linda. My biggest accomplishment in life is being a mother of four children. Their current ages range from almost ten years old down to 20 months old.
I’m passionate about writing parenting articles because I understand so well all of the problems and trials you face as a parent. From breastfeeding woes to budgeting problems and behavior problems, along with everything in between, chances are I’ve faced it over the last ten years. Read more about Linda here.
