My breastfeeding challenge

We saw Dr L. again on Tuesday. Jakob has been gaining weight, but was still below his birth weight, so we have another appointment with her tomorrow morning.

Our homework this time? To always breastfeed him, every single feeding, and then follow with a bottle to ensure he's getting enough nutrition. And to only nurse him from the right side, since he won't take from the left, so he'll learn how to do it successfully before we face the next challenge. And to pump on the left every time he nurses.

I've tried. For every feeding since then, I've tried to breastfeed him, but by around 4 am this morning I had to give up. My right nipple hurts constantly. It constantly feels raw, and every time he suckles - even when he's doing it more or less correctly - it feels like acid is being poured over an open wound. Each time I try to nurse, it takes three or four attempts before we get a latch that is more-or-less correct, but the first few tries are so painful that I end up in tears. His suction is so strong that it is a real struggle to break it to free my sore nipple from his grasp.

I want breastfeeding to work, but it cannot continue like this. I know I ought to persist, that if we keep at it long enough I'll be successful, but I'm definitely at a low point.

I hope tomorrow's appointment will be encouraging. I don't know how I'll continue if it isn't.