blondie, you're doing a fabulous job.

you are not a bad mum.

and don't feel guilty - it's so understandable to feel relieved and pleased when you're doing things in a way that makes your LO happy, and doesn't cause you pain!!

please feel encouraged - you're doing an awesome job. and feel encouraged also - things will get easier

I totally "ditto" Miss E's comments re nipple shields - they are fantastic. And you can get really, really thin silicone ones from your lactation consultant, which protect you but shouldn't interfere much with the bond you have while breastfeeding.

Other things which helped my nipples were expressing a bit extra breastmilk and massaging it into my nipples, letting it air dry, and then using Lansinoh after every feed. Hurts a little, but did a lot of good, I thought.

And as much open air time your nipples can get, the better ...

with your questions - yes, you can do it. BUT a lot of women find that expressing alone means in the end that their milk supply reduces over time (and occasionally, straight away). but that's not every woman's experience - like throughout conceiving, pregnancy and labour, so many of us have such different experiences!!

I breastfeed in the morning and at night, and then express during the day, and just before bed, and all is well - but I have had to start supplementing with formula. some women manage to express and keep their baby exclusively breastfeed for ages. some women have their supply drop dramatically as soon as they reduce the number of breastfeeds they do per day.

but once your nipples are not hurting too much, the convenience of breastfeeding directly rather than all the cleaning and assembling etc involved in expressing, you might not want to do a combination

but whatever you decide - know that you're doing AWESOME!!