Thank you for all the reponses so far. The positive experiences give me hope!

I really have been trying to correct the latch problem. My next resource will be hiring a private LC to visit me at home. To be honest, I'm at a loss about what the problem is. A LC, a midwife and a GP have watched me latch him on and watched him feed and tell me all "looks" good, but there's something not right... It's almost like the latch is too shallow, but he opens wide and I pull him in and from the outside it looks correct, so I'm quite confused. I really am trying to correct the problem with professional help and I don't see the shields as a solution to the problem, but it's all been so hard so far and I don't want to give it up, but I can't continue with a bub that becomes distressed and impatient at the breast, and shredded nipples that make the whole experience unpleasant.