Im a new mom of a 2 month old son and I thought I would share some advice that I wish I would have recieved earlier!

When you are in the hospital, ALWAYS ask questions because when you leave you are on your own!! There are so many options available to you and the lactation nurses are there to help!

Even if you think breastfeeding is going well, ask the Lactation nurse to WATCH you latch the baby. (I didnt, they just watched me nurse after he was already latched - 3 painful weeks and 2 tubes of Lansinoh later I found out he wasnt even latched right!) My best friend had to show me how to latch him on, and then it was painless and an enjoyable time with my son!

Always make sure the baby's lips are flipped "outward". If babys lips are inward (like if you were blotting lipstick/chapstick) you will be in sooo much pain!  You might have to help baby flip lips out by gently pulling down on his/her chin and pulling up a little on the top lip.

Start out using the position thats right for you... My nurse had me nursing in the "football" position and the baby was latched at a bit of an angle causing more pain... come to find out later its not the recommended position for large breasted women! As soon as I changed to cradling the baby i didnt have the soreness on my nipples. (If your nipple looks lipstick shaped, the baby IS NOT latched right!)

Try nursing 20 minutes on each side, then supplementing if you have to. I was nursing for an hour on each side, then having to start ALL OVER AGAIN! (Newborns feed every 2-4 hours, from the time you started!!!) Finding out later that the baby gets most of the milk within the first 20 minutes anyway!

If you have to supplement, ask for the formula in an SNS, not a bottle! SNS (Supplemental Nursing System) may not be the easiest to use at first, but you use it while nursing so the breast is still stimulated, the baby still bonds but the baby gets filled while waiting for your milk to come in! SNS can help the milk come in within 2-3 days!

Breastfeeding can be easy for some, but hard for most, dont give up too soon! There are so many options and so much help out there!! 

Good Luck :)