The first few weeks are certainly the hardest with bfing for most mums, and it is usual to have some discomfort while your nipples adjust. However, it really shouldn't be painful enough that you are dreading each feed or having toe curling pain.

One of the best ways to get the attachment working well right from the start is to use Baby Led Attachment. You might have heard of the breast crawl - well those instincts that lead the baby to attach by himself stay with the baby for the first months after birth. So many mums find that placing their baby skin to skin on their chest (and it does also work when clothing is worn) and allowing him to find the nipple and attach himself, works well. This way the attachment is usually really good, and it also hones the baby's sucking instincts so avoids a lot of the common bfing problems.

This can be done lying down or sitting up and leaning back in a chair. There is more information here - Australian Breastfeeding Association - Baby-led attachment.

Best of luck with it. Remember also that if you are having problems that the ABA's 1800 mum 2 mum helpline is there 24 hours and is answered by trained counsellors who are mums themselves.