I just wanted to say it DOES get so much easier... It was not long ago I was the one writting a post similar to yours... Initially I also found attachment hard because I have breast implants as well as engorgement and I just couldn't seem to catch her with her mouth wide enough and even when I did get her on it still bloody hurt. In hindsight, I now know it was because my breasts were too full and too tight for her to get it all in her mouth. For a few weeks now, since my milk has settled a bit and breasts have become softer (most of the time - they still get quite engorged), we are bf'ing pain free and like pros! I even am more than comfortable to flop the ol' booby out in public and put her on without even having the think about it. She can even attach herself now which was great when she was waking for her night feed and I could just pop her on in the dark. Seriously, I can barely remember the frustration I had and it was pretty bad because I was always reduced to tears. As a pp said, airing them did wonder for my nipples healing too - I ditched the lanolin cream (felt like it was aggrivating my thrush) and just went top free for a week! Also the LC I saw actually told me to express for 24 hours to give my nipples a bit of a break and chance to heal - definately helped me. It feels so good when you get to the part where you don't have these difficulties anymore... the look of your baby satisfied on the breast is priceless!

One more thing - Just thought i'd add - If your finding the pump a PITA, maybe try hand expressing. I only discovered it this week and have ditched my electric pump. I can get much more milk quicker by hand expressing and it doesn't hurt like the pump does (I found it really painfull when my nipples were cracked and blistered!).