Interesting, Julia. I've seen babies with the lips flangd out to the extend that the mucous is visible all around, but with a very, very shallow latch. And I've seen babies with lips more or less turned in, but with beautifull wide gapes on latching and really big mouths full of breast.

Warmly,

Gonneke, IBCLC in PP, LC lecturer in southern Netherlands

 Twitter @eurolacpuntnet

--- On Wed, 9/8/10, Julia Augur <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

From: Julia Augur <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: [LACTNET] lip position
To: [log in to unmask]
Date: Wednesday, September 8, 2010, 5:01 PM

So we all know that we tell moms who complain of sore nipples to make sure the baby's lips are flanged, but is it just something we say?
There are things we know need to apply to have a "good latch". Positioning is imperative; as well as the deepness of the nipple in babies mouth. But are the lips really a big factor. We have cleft babies who nurse perfectly (and mom's have no soreness) and obviously turing out those lips is usually an impossibilty.
I understand the need to create a decent seal, but can't this be done with lips that aren't completely rolled outward? My children have tight labial frenums and were unable to completely "flange" their lips. I never had very sore nipples. I find myself moving away from this idea and I was wondering what everyone's thoughts on the matter are?
Please let me know if there is any concrete evidence to support this claim. 

Thanks in advance;

Julia AUgur IBCLC

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