Tell your friend not to be to hard on herself! This takes practise and can be so discouraging the first even the second time around!! A good lactation consultant is Key! She’ll teach mom how to get a good latch to avoid the pain. The more nipple in there the better. That’s why the Areola gets so large. I use to use my finger to pull down babies chin (which stopped them from attempting to latch to soon with not enough boob in there) and then almost flip it in there for a good strong latch....it takes time and practise. No mom and baby combo are pros, trial and error and some tears...she could also call her family doctor for a lactation consultation or like a pp said. She can go back to the hospital or call to set a time to see one. They’ll likely work quick to get a time set up.

@devilee2012 have you tried hand expressing so there is already milk in the shield when she attaches? I was never a huge fan of nipple shields but without it my daughter couldn't latch. I ended up finally having to pump with her and bottle feed that way

Hope all gets better because I know how painful that is especially stressful and emotional💕💕

Go back to hospital and ask for a lactation consultant, it's never to late to ask. I didn't ask for one when I gave birth to my oldest and kept struggling on my own until I came across the nipple shield and that cause even more problems because baby wasn't getting hardly any milk and wasn't gaining weight so I had to supplement with formula as well so if there's anybody you can talk to your local baby Cafe or the Hospital where there's lactation Consultants on hand I think that would be the best bet unless you want to pump into a bottle and bottle feed

I went through something similar I would pump and bottle feed to give my nipples a break - then feed like every other time or pump a day or so then go back to breast feeding. I’ll be honest it’s difficult and when they are so small it’s really just a try and try again effort until it all works itself out, the older the baby the easier the time, but it’s normal for it to hurt, it takes getting used to, but if your dedicated and want this I am sure you’ll get there. Just don’t be too hard on yourself! Also if you don’t have an electric pump hand pumps are genius!

@mct, I have been trying the nipple shield and when I use it, she just wants nothing to do with it

A nipple shield would probably help a lot. It helps baby latch and protects the nipple. Lanolin is a big help too.