heaven - hugs to you! It sucks that something that is supposed to be natural isn't! I have had trouble BF both my kids but we get there everytime and then you look back at how hard it was but how easy it is now - you will get there.

Lets talk nipples - at any time could you ever describe your nipples at flatish or not as perky as some? I would never have described myself as having flat nipples but they are difficult for bubs to latch on to - I have a large areola but the nipple itself is quite small which means even though bub has a good chunk of areola in their mouth my poor nipple is still getting trashed! Also my nipples both point in different directions - aren't I just painting the freakiest picture :-) A midwife told me to line up bubs head with the direction my nipple was pointing in and using pillows as a platform line her up like that.

nipple sheilds - used them with #1 tried at 1 week and rejected them. tried again at 3wks after 2 wks of being fed EBM via bottle and he took to them like a fish to water. We used them until he was 9mths old #2 I swore I wouldn't need thembut after having my nipple so cracked I thought it would fall off we tried again. She hated them but it was shields or formula. i would put her on normally, take her off and put the shield on and put her back on, she would crack, put her on again, she would crack, take shield off, put her on, take her off, put shield on, put her back on. with in a day she got that if she wanted milk she needed to put up with the plastic. Using silicone dummies and the occasional bottle aslo helped her get used to the shield. What brand are you using, i always found the Avent ones the best and you can get them in two sizes, go for the small.

What the other ladies have said about giving that nipple as much time to heal is true, try and rest that side as much as possible, you can always build that supply up later and there are plenty of ladies out there BF with only one boob! If you have a good fence get that boobie in the sun, best healing ever, esp if you mihgt have some thrush going on. Also there are these other things avent make, wish I could remember the name of them but basically you put them in your bra (they are like cups) and they should your nipple from coming into contact with anything - basically lets them air out. You can also use them to collect milk which lets down while you are feeding from the other side! They are super ugly and I wouold recommend wearing them at a black tie event but by golly gosh they work a treat to help heal those nipples.

All the best for tomorrow