I have seen this happen and have done the following.  First optimize the
positioning of the baby's body and the mother's body.  Tuck the bottom in
close to the other breast in cradle position, close to the mom's groin in
sidelying and close to her back in football (baby on side, wrapped around
mom).  Next aim for the asymmetrical latch, start with baby's nose aligned
to mother's nipple, and tickle upper lip with nipple to encourage baby to
lunge upward somewhat when s/he gapes.  Use a nipple sandwich type of
compression on the breast if it is needed to get more areolar tissue into
baby's mouth and away from the nose.  Make sure mom's thumb and index finger
match baby's nose and chin not check and check.  Make sure all motions
drawing the baby toward the mother concentrates around shoulders (in other
words support infant's shoulders, neck and base of cranium, NOT the crown of
the head.  The goal is to have the chin denting the breast and the nose
lightly touching or quite close to the breast.  A well and asymmetrically
latched baby will have chin off the chest and ears will not be touching
shoulders.  If areola is medium to large in size some areola will be showing
under baby's nose but less or none will be showing between lower lip and
chin.  Baby will be able to easily gaze up at Mom.  Sometimes, despite all
this the upper lip still seems to seal over the nares and one will see the
sides of the nose retracting with each attempt to draw breath. I have had
luck with a gentle push on the infant's forehead if he is pulling himself
into the breast and tucking his chin on his chest but be careful not to
hyperextend his neck.  I have also taught mother to press gently on her
breast and the edge of the infant's upper lip with her index finger TOWARD
the baby.  Mom's instinct often is to pull the breast away from the baby
which allows him to breathe but also unlatches him or sets her up for sore
nipples.

Carla

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