Your baby's top lip curling under during bottle feeding is often a sign of a shallow latch. This occurs when your baby isn't taking enough of the bottle nipple into their mouth.
A proper, deep latch is crucial for efficient and comfortable feeding. Ideally, during bottle feeding, your baby's lips should be flanged outwards, creating a seal around the base of the nipple. When the top lip curls under, it suggests the latch is not deep enough for this outward flanging to happen naturally.
Understanding the Latch Issue
Based on feeding mechanics, issues like a shallow latch often stem from underlying factors. For instance, babies who might attempt to flange the top lip are doing so because they are compensating for a shallow latch due to poor positioning or a tongue tie. While the reference specifically mentions flanging as a compensation method, it highlights that the root cause—a shallow latch resulting from poor positioning or a tongue tie—is a significant factor in feeding challenges.
Therefore, the lip curling under is likely a direct symptom of this shallow latch, rather than a compensatory action. It indicates that the mechanics required for a deep, effective latch (where the lip would naturally flange outwards) are not in place.
Common Reasons for Shallow Latch
A shallow latch that causes the top lip to curl under can be linked to:
- Poor Positioning: The way the baby is held or the angle of the bottle can affect how deeply they can latch onto the nipple.
- Tongue Tie (Ankyloglossia): A restricted tongue can make it difficult for a baby to maintain a deep and effective latch, leading to the lip curling under as they struggle to get enough of the nipple into their mouth.
- Bottle Nipple Flow/Shape: Sometimes the nipple itself might contribute to latch issues.
What This Means for Feeding
A shallow latch can lead to several challenges:
- Inefficient milk transfer
- Increased air intake, potentially causing gas or fussiness
- Soreness for the baby's mouth or jaw
- Difficulty staying latched
Practical Steps and Solutions
If you observe your baby's top lip consistently curling under, consider the following:
- Check Positioning: Ensure your baby is held close, with their head and neck aligned. Try different bottle-feeding positions like the cradle hold, laid-back feeding, or side-lying. Ensure the bottle is angled correctly to keep the nipple full of milk.
- Encourage a Wider Mouth: Before inserting the nipple, gently touch it to your baby's top lip to encourage them to open wide. Aim for a wide mouth opening similar to a yawn.
- Insert the Nipple Deeply: Once the mouth is wide, aim the nipple towards the roof of their mouth to encourage a deeper latch. The lips should spread around the base of the nipple, not just the tip.
- Observe the Latch: Look to see if the lips are relaxed and flanged outwards. If the top lip curls under, gently unlatch the baby and try again.
- Consider the Bottle Nipple: Ensure the nipple is the correct size and flow rate for your baby. Some nipples are designed to encourage a deeper latch.
- Consult a Professional: If latch issues persist, especially if you suspect a tongue tie or need help with positioning, seek guidance from a lactation consultant, pediatrician, or feeding specialist. They can assess for anatomical issues like tongue or lip tie and provide personalized strategies.
Recognizing that a curled top lip is a sign of a shallow latch is the first step to addressing the issue and improving your baby's feeding experience.
