The 'Exaggerated Latch' technique (flipple-nipple): breastfeeding a baby with a high palate

The exaggerated latch technique, sometimes called the flipple or flipple nipple technique, is an approach to breastfeeding attachment that aims to help a baby take a deeper, more asymmetrical mouthful of breast tissue. It may be particularly useful for some babies with a high palate, where the shape of the roof of the mouth can influence how the nipple and breast tissue fit within the oral cavity.

The technique involves applying gentle pressure near the base of the nipple to angle it upwards towards the baby's forehead, in line with the nose. As the baby opens their mouth and extends their head backwards, they are brought close to the breast, chin first. The pressure is then released as the baby attaches, allowing them to draw the nipple and breast tissue further into the mouth through their own feeding movements and suction (La Leche League GB, 2026).

Understanding the anatomy of the palate, the importance of head extension and the mechanics of attachment helps explain why this technique may be useful for some babies with a high palate.

Understanding the palate and breastfeeding

The palate forms the roof of the mouth and the floor of the nasal cavity. It consists of two anatomically distinct regions: the hard palate at the front, which is supported by bone, and the soft palate towards the back, which contains muscle and movable soft tissue (Standring, 2021).

Palates naturally vary in shape, width and height. A high palate has a more pronounced upward arch than a lower, more gently curved palate. This anatomical variation does not automatically indicate a feeding difficulty, but it can influence the space available for the tongue and the relationship between the nipple, breast tissue and other oral structures during feeding.

During breastfeeding, the baby draws the nipple and breast tissue further into the mouth as attachment develops. With a deep, asymmetrical latch, the nipple is positioned towards the junction of the hard and soft palates rather than being compressed against the front of the hard palate. La Leche League GB and NHS guidance both describe the importance of a generous mouthful of breast tissue and allowing the baby's head to tip backwards so the nipple can reach further into the mouth (La Leche League GB, 2026; NHS, 2026).

Head extension is particularly important because it allows the baby to open their mouth widely and approach the breast at an angle that supports deeper attachment. The chin can make contact with the breast first while the nipple enters the upper part of the mouth (NHS, 2026).

For some babies with a high palate, the shape of the oral cavity may influence how the nipple and breast tissue sit within the mouth. Depending on the baby's anatomy and oral function, this may contribute to nipple compression, difficulty maintaining a seal or repeated loss of attachment. These effects are not inevitable, however, and a high palate should be considered alongside the baby's tongue movement, jaw movement, oral coordination and feeding behaviour.

For further information about the structures of the mouth and their relationship with feeding, see Infant Oral Anatomy: Structure, Function and Feeding.

How the exaggerated latch technique works

La Leche League GB describes the flipple as an optional technique for encouraging deeper attachment. Gentle pressure is applied near the base of the nipple to tilt it away from the baby. As the baby opens widely, the breast is brought close so that the nipple enters the mouth last and rolls into position (La Leche League GB, 2026).

The direction of the nipple is important, but the technique is not simply about pointing the nipple upwards. The baby's head needs to be free to extend backwards as the mouth opens, allowing the chin to approach the breast first. Head extension, the angle of the nipple and the timing of the caregiver's hand movements work together.

The position of the thumb or finger varies according to the feeding position. In many positions, pressure is applied from the upper surface of the breast, viewed from above, with the thumb near the base of the nipple. The nipple is angled upwards towards the baby's forehead, in line with the nose. This should not be interpreted as a fixed instruction to press from underneath the breast; the hand may need to approach from a different direction when the baby's position changes.

As the baby opens widely and comes onto the breast, the initial pressure is released. The baby's own mouth movements and suction then help draw the nipple and surrounding breast tissue further into the mouth. Research using ultrasound and measurements of intra-oral vacuum has demonstrated the relationship between tongue movement, vacuum generation and milk flow during breastfeeding (Geddes et al., 2008). The intention of the exaggerated latch technique is for the breast tissue to occupy more of the oral space, including the contour of the palate, while the nipple sits further back rather than remaining compressed towards the front of the hard palate.

Once the baby is securely attached and rhythmic swallowing can be seen, the mother can remove her hand from the breast and allow her arm to relax into a more comfortable position, provided the breast and baby remain well supported. Maintaining the same hand position throughout the feed is not the objective; the aim is to facilitate attachment and then allow the baby to feed effectively without unnecessary effort from the mother.

The technique builds on the wider principles of deep, asymmetrical attachment described in NHS guidance and breastfeeding support resources. Although the underlying principles of positioning and attachment are established, research specifically evaluating the flipple as a named technique, particularly for babies with a high palate, remains limited.

For further explanation of the relationship between body position, head movement and attachment, see Breastfeeding latch and positioning.

Why might the flipple help a baby with a high palate?

With a high palate, the shape of the roof of the mouth may influence how the nipple and breast tissue fit within the oral cavity. The direction in which the nipple enters the mouth can therefore be particularly relevant.

By changing the starting angle of the nipple, the exaggerated latch encourages the baby to take the breast into the mouth with the nipple directed upwards towards the forehead. As the baby extends their head, opens widely and approaches chin-first, the nipple can enter the mouth further back. Releasing the thumb pressure as the baby attaches allows their own suction to draw the breast tissue further into the oral cavity.

The intended effect is for the breast tissue to fill more of the space within the mouth, accommodating the contour of the palate while the nipple sits further back. This may help some babies maintain a wider jaw position and reduce compression of the nipple against the hard palate towards the front of the mouth.

The potential benefit is therefore not simply that the baby takes a larger mouthful of breast. It is also about the relationship between the nipple, breast tissue, palate and jaw once the baby has attached.

This is a proposed mechanical explanation for why the technique may help some babies with a high palate, rather than a clinically established, palate-specific treatment. Its usefulness depends on the individual baby's anatomy, oral movement and ability to sustain effective feeding.

The tongue also plays an important role in maintaining the seal around the breast and coordinating sucking and swallowing. Research by Geddes and colleagues (2008) demonstrated that milk flow during breastfeeding coincided with lowering of the posterior tongue and increased intra-oral vacuum. Genna et al. (2021) also explored tongue movement during infant feeding and adult swallowing, examining patterns of tongue kinematics. These studies help explain the complexity of oral movement during feeding, but neither establishes that the flipple improves vacuum or swallowing in babies with a high palate.

Where tongue movement is restricted or oral coordination is affected, changing the angle of attachment may not address every contributing factor.

Clicking, repeated loss of attachment and nipple compression can have several explanations, so these observations need to be considered within the wider feeding assessment rather than attributed automatically to palate shape.

For further reading, see Infant Resting Tongue Posture: Why It Matters and What It Can Tell Us and Why Does My Baby Click When Feeding? Understanding the Causes.

How to use the exaggerated latch technique

The following steps describe the practical application of the technique. The position of the thumb or finger may need to change according to the feeding position, breast shape and direction from which the baby approaches the breast.

1. Find a comfortable feeding position

Choose a position in which you are well supported and your baby can come close to the breast without stretching or twisting. The baby's nose should initially be approximately level with the nipple, allowing space for the head to extend backwards as the mouth opens.

Support the baby's shoulders, neck and upper back so that their head can move freely. Avoid pushing the back of the head towards the breast, as this can restrict the extension needed for a wide gape and comfortable attachment (NHS, 2026).

The technique can be adapted to different positions, provided the baby can extend their head, approach the breast comfortably and attach effectively.

2. Angle the nipple towards the forehead

Place your thumb or finger near the base of the nipple, where the nipple meets the breast, and apply gentle pressure to angle the nipple upwards towards the baby's forehead, in line with their nose.

The position of your hand depends on the feeding position. In many cases, the thumb rests on the upper surface of the breast when viewed from above, but another position may require a different hand placement to achieve the same angle.

The aim is to change the direction in which the nipple is presented, rather than compressing the nipple or pressing the breast painfully.

3. Allow head extension and wait for a wide gape

With your baby positioned nose-to-nipple, allow the nipple to brush the upper lip or the area around the nose. This can encourage the baby to open their mouth in preparation for attachment.

As the baby responds, allow their head to tip backwards into extension. This is crucial to the technique. Head extension helps the baby open their mouth widely and changes the angle at which the nipple enters the mouth.

Wait for the mouth to open widely enough to take a generous mouthful of breast tissue. The baby should be able to move their head freely rather than having their mouth forced open or their head held in place.

4. Bring the baby to the breast, chin first

As the baby opens widely and their head extends backwards, bring them close to the breast so that the chin makes contact first. Keep the nipple angled upwards towards the forehead rather than pointing directly forwards into the centre of the mouth.

As the baby attaches, release the thumb or finger pressure. The baby can then draw the nipple and breast tissue further into the mouth through their own feeding movements and suction.

The nipple can roll further into the mouth as the baby closes around the breast, allowing more breast tissue to be taken in rather than the baby attaching primarily to the nipple.

5. Check the latch, and look for effective, rhythmical and PAIN FREE swallowing

Once the baby is attached, observe how the feeding feels and functions rather than judging the latch by appearance alone.

The baby's chin will generally remain close to the breast, with the nose sufficiently clear for comfortable breathing. More of the darker skin around the nipple may be visible above the upper lip than below the lower lip, reflecting an asymmetrical attachment, although the appearance varies with individual anatomy (NHS, 2026).

Look for rhythmic sucking and swallowing, and consider whether the mother is comfortable without persistent pinching or sharp pain. Once the baby is securely attached and rhythmic swallowing is visible, the mother can remove her hand from the breast and relax her arm into a more comfortable position, as long as the baby remains supported and attachment is maintained.

If the latch remains uncomfortable or the baby repeatedly slips off, gently release the suction before trying again. If the technique does not improve comfort or attachment, the wider feeding picture needs to be considered.

For additional guidance on latch mechanics and positioning, see How to Improve Infant Latch: Practical Breastfeeding Support.

Other avenues to explore

Breastfeeding is multifactorial. Positioning and attachment are important, but the feeding experience is also influenced by the baby's oral function, breast and nipple anatomy, milk flow, breast fullness, the baby's state and development, and the coordination of sucking, swallowing and breathing (NICE, 2021; Watson Genna, 2023).

The exaggerated latch may be useful when the angle of attachment appears to be contributing to nipple compression or difficulty maintaining a deep latch. However, persistent pain, repeated loss of attachment or concerns about milk transfer warrant a broader assessment rather than repeated attempts to perfect the same technique.

An assessment may consider the baby's tongue movement, jaw movement and ability to maintain a seal around the breast; whether the baby can coordinate sucking and swallowing and sustain effective feeding; the caregiver's breast and nipple anatomy, comfort, milk production and milk flow; and whether the feeding position allows the baby to approach the breast and maintain attachment comfortably.

Tongue-tie may be one consideration when restricted tongue movement appears to affect feeding function, but the appearance of the frenulum alone does not establish the cause of feeding difficulties. Equally, not every baby with a high palate has a feeding problem, and not every baby who struggles to attach has a high palate or tongue-tie.

An IBCLC or another appropriately qualified healthcare professional with infant feeding expertise can observe a feed and help determine which factors may be contributing. Persistent nipple pain should not simply be accepted as part of breastfeeding; the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine recommends a careful history and assessment of the feeding dyad when pain continues, rather than assuming that one explanation applies to everyone (Berens et al., 2016).

Tongue movement and coordination contribute to the baby's ability to maintain an effective seal, generate intra-oral vacuum and coordinate sucking and swallowing. Where these functions are affected, positioning and attachment techniques may not address every contributing factor. You may find it helpful to read Tongue Function Exercises for Strength, Tone and Motility, which explores exercises to support tongue function, and Tongue-Tie Release Exercises, which discusses exercises following tongue-tie division and the distinction between functional exercises and wound manipulation.

You may also find the following articles useful when exploring other possible contributors:

• Breastfeeding latch and positioning discusses the relationship between positioning, head movement and attachment.

• Breastfeeding latch support that helps explores persistent nipple pain and the importance of assessing the whole feeding dyad.

• A guide to understanding your baby's oral function considers oral movement and feeding function without relying on anatomy alone.

• Infant Skull Shape and Infant Feeding explores how positioning and the wider feeding mechanism may be relevant when an individual baby experiences difficulties.

References

Berens, P., Eglash, A., Malloy, M. and Stuebe, A.M. (2016) ‘ABM Clinical Protocol #26: Persistent pain with breastfeeding’, Breastfeeding Medicine, 11(2), pp. 46–53. doi: 10.1089/bfm.2016.29002.pjb.

Geddes, D.T., Kent, J.C., Mitoulas, L.R. and Hartmann, P.E. (2008) ‘Tongue movement and intra-oral vacuum in breastfeeding infants’, Early Human Development, 84(7), pp. 471–477. doi: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2007.12.008.

Genna, C.W. (ed.) (2023) Supporting Sucking Skills in Breastfeeding Infants. 4th edn. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Genna, C., Saperstein, Y., Siegel, S., Laine, A. and Elad, D. (2021) ‘Quantitative imaging of tongue kinematics during infant feeding and adult swallowing reveals highly conserved patterns’, Physiological Reports, 9(3), e14685. doi: 10.14814/phy2.14685.

La Leche League GB (2026) Positioning & Attachment. Updated May 2026. Available at: https://laleche.org.uk/positioning-attachment/

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) (2021) Postnatal care. NICE guideline NG194. Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng194

NHS (2026) Breastfeeding: positioning and attachment. Page last reviewed 23 June 2026. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/baby/breastfeeding-and-bottle-feeding/breastfeeding/positioning-and-attachment/

Standring, S. (ed.) (2021) Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice. 42nd edn. London: Elsevier.