Holly

Isn't it frustrating, something that is supposed to be so natural being so difficult.

My nipples have been tender too - not to the extent of yours I think but still sore. Do you have any Lansinoh?? Has worked wonders for me in only a few applications.

Also, what bottles are you using? My sister was bottle feeding for 3 weeks and got my niece onto the boob - she used a "special needs" teat by Medela I think, it has a sucking mechanism that is apparently more similar to the nipple.

Stick with it...