My little boy is just over three weeks old and we are struggling so hard with breastfeeding. I have had some wonderful support from numerous sources (the nurses at the hospital, the nurses at this "healthier babies" centre, the public health nurses who come to my house once a week to check up on us and weigh Cameron, and a wonderful lacation consultant who has seen me several times both in the hospital and at my home) but we just can't seem to get the proper latch. It seems to go ok while one of the nurses is watching and helping me, so I know it's possible, but as soon as they leave we can't seem to re-create the perfect latch no matter how many times I pop him off and try again.

The LC said my positiong is right, but for some reason I just can't get enough breast tissue into the mouth (probably due to the fact that I have unfortunately large breasts)and as a result I have REALLY sore, red and cracked nipples 9i have some cream for them from my doctor but it only helps a little). I actually dread feeding time as it has gotten so painful on one side. The damage is from his toungue rubbing agisnt my nipple instead of the breast. I got some of those plastic sheilds to wear between feedings to keep your bra from aggrevating the nipple but I find them uncomfortable and they collect and then leak milk all over the place.

I even tired pumping the other night to give my poor nipples a rest and pumped a whole bottle full......which was devoured in 10 seconds and I still had to put him on the breast afterwards. I tried to pump again last night as I was getting engored and leaking everywhere but now I can't even get a good latch on the pump and so i can't get enough suction to pump anything out.

I am determined to keep at it despite the troubles we are having, but I am getting VERY discouraged. The worst is the middle of the night feeding which often leave me in tears. I have been told that it does get easier, please tell me this is true! I don't know what else I can do to make this work or how much more my nipples can handle.