It's good that you're emphasizing that each mother/baby pair fits 
together differently -- it seems that some pairs can fit together 
comfortably almost any old way (as long as the nipple is actually in the 
mouth), while others need to work toward this truly optimal wide, deep 
mouthful to fill up the oral space.

Since the tongue helps spread and shape the palate in utero, the high, 
narrow palate may also be a marker for restricted tongue movement.  
(Read Catherine Watson Genna's great posts in the archives about clues 
to look for on restricted tongue function,, beyond the really obvious 
frenulum down to the heart-shaped tongue tip.)

There's also been some talk about cranio-sacral massage helping to 
spread and lower the palate.

The mothers need to feel good that their soft, malleable nipple and the 
muscular suck of breastfeeding encourage normal oral development, and 
won't exacerbate this baby's tendency toward a high palate.

Margaret Wills, LLLL, IBCLC

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