the beginning couple days hurt so so so bad.. but I started putting lanolin on my nipples as soon as she got done and it helped a lot! I also let my nipples air dry with breast milk on them and my nipples have only been slightly cracked once. but I promise, it DOES get better (:

Yes, in the beginning I cried every time I nursed/ pumped. I dreaded it so badly. I had mastitis and thrush, and that made it so bad I couldn't even nurse. So I bottle fed my milk to my son for a few weeks and we've been breast feeding ever since with no problem 😊

Yeah for the first few weeks I used those gel pads and those were like miracle workers but I cringed when baby wanted to eat because the pain was so bad but now she won't take a bottle or pacifier at all lol so I'm pretty much stuck with it.. It seems to hurt less if you let baby find your boob... Skin to skin and baby will go searching and when my baby searches her mouth opens much wider so it hurts a lot less

Yes I had to start on the shield the day I had him bc my nipples are flat. It seems to still hurt when I try to get him to latch without it too @katarama

That's good to know it gets better!!! It's the first min of him latching on that is the worst!!! I'm so for breast feeding but wasn't expecting the pain from it! Thank you! @rhonda.otero

I've yet to experience it but I have heard that it gets much easier after the first few weeks. Have you tried a nipple shield?

Omg people don't tell you how bad it is but after the first month things are much easier.. It was like after my nipples were cracked and sore and heeled.. Now they can withstand everything lol plus baby latches much better so it doesn't hurt