I find the nipple sandwich technique can be very helpful in certain 
situations. If baby is not opening wide and the asymetrical latch 
technique is not working, it can help get more into the mouth. If baby 
has weak lips and can not grip well, the nipple sandwich technique with 
your fingers right above the lips can help baby hold on. But you do not 
smoosh so much once baby latches or you may plug a duct. I do not use it 
for all babies or every time. If baby has to have this technique to 
latch, I know this is a baby with some kind of issue. Maybe is weak 
lips, or tight mouth (jaw clenching), or maybe mom is just temporarily 
too full of milk and baby can not compress enough at first to latch.

Someone asked about chin compression -- I think this is a very old 
technique and I think craniosacral therapy is the real answer for a 
tight mouth or a jaw clencher. Plus, the asymetrical latch where they 
have to open their mouths wide. I will sometimes try this chin 
compression thing (finger on the baby's chin, gently pushing in) but 
never found it works. Same with massaging the lips and gums before 
nursing to release the tension. Maybe I don't do it right, who knows?

Kathy Eng, BSW, IBCLC

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