So before I gave birth (when I was pregnant), I had lofty grandiose visions of how lovely and positively blissful nursing my son would be.  Don’t get me wrong — it was all of those fluffy great things eventually — but nobody could have prepared me for the intense pain of the first few weeks (and my son actually had a good latch per the opinion of my lactation consultant).  To top it all off, I had PCOS and a low supply and a boy that was quickly growing the bone structure and appetite of a linebacker, so needless to say — I was in extreme pain.  I have been in a lot of pain in my lifetime, but I kid you not– I was screaming each time he latched on in the beginning.   You see, nobody warns you that breastfeeding will initially feel like jaws is chomping down on sore & raw open flesh over and over, or like glass shards are being detonated repeatedly inside your breasts, while tingling pain sensations travel up and down your spine repeatedly! 
I wish there were some things I had known or had on hand before attempting to breastfeed.  

First, get yourself some Lansinoh Soothies Gel Pads.  After your feedings, and in between feedings, apply them for the first few days.  Your incredibly cracked and sore nipples will thank you. 

Second, get yourself some Medela SoftShells for Sore Nipples and put your breast in them between feedings and certainly before putting any clothes on.  The chafing between your sore nipples and clothes will be quickly unbearable (and that’s why so many new moms walk around topless if they can get away with it!) 

Third, get yourself some good nipple cream.  And I don’t mean lanolin (which is recommended by some OB GYNs, but is in actuality a waxy substance which costs sheep’s fur and can also contain toxic pesticides), but the good organic stuff that is safe for the infant to eat.  Because no matter how well you clean your nipple, some may be left behind.  Some safe nipple creams that I used include Motherlove Nipple Cream and Earth Mama Angel Baby Natural Nipple Butter.

Fourth, rent yourself a hospital grade pump.  I tried both a portable Medela Pump in Style and the hospital-grade Medela Symphony.  The Symphony was way more efficient at getting the milk out and much more comfortable.  It is only about $75 bucks a month to rent as of June 2015 at a hospital or local baby store.  The only downside is that it’s not easily portable.  The only respectable pumps out there are purportedly made by Medela or Ameda. I have also heard good things about Spectra.  You will also want a manual breast pump for travel because they are much easier to use when traveling.

  
Five, get yourself some comfortable organic nursing pads (the disposable stuff is not comfortable on your sore breasts).  I liked these TL Care Organic Cotton Nursing Pads.

Six, screw the big bottles and get yourself Medela’s 2.7 oz bottles because they are the perfect size for preparing and storing breastmilk.  Unless you are one of the lucky (or unlucky) ones with an oversupply, you won’t need the big bottles. 

Seventh, get yourself some sturdy breastmilk storage bags.  I hear Lansinoh and Medela break a lot.  I liked Honeysuckle Breastmilk Storage Bags (although the quality isn’t as good as it used to be, but still better than the others).  Also, get yourself a good breastmilk storage solution such as The First Years Breastflow Milk Storage Organizer (to save space in the fridge).

Eighth, get yourself a milk saver so you don’t lose any drippings of your liquid gold while your child is feeding on one breast or as you go about your day. 

  
Ninth, get yourself a nursing pillow (it makes life much easier and your back will thank you).  I liked the Boppy Nursing Pillow much better than the Breast Friend, but some moms disagree.

 
Tenth, get yourself a breastmilk cooler set if you are going back to work to keep your liquid gold fresh.
  
Finally, eat those galactagogues to keep your supply up (especially if you are returning to work and pumping).  Oatmeal, liquid fenugreek, blessed thistle and mothers milk tea are all great!
If you ever feel intense pain, notice red streaks or your temperature spikes, please see a doctor as it may be mastitis.
Most importantly — know that the pain will eventually pass and soon, before you know it, you will be looking down at your child nursing away and you will love it and you will be amazed at what your body is capable of doing.  You will be so sad at the thought of having to wean (well, at least until their teeth come in!).  Breastfeeding is one of the greatest things you can do your child and will eventually be blissful.  There’s nothing like that intimacy with and nurturing of your child.  You just have to grit your teeth and hang in there!  It really does get easier!
** The content of this post is only the opinion of an everyday mom. Please do not rely on anything in this post as medical advice. Please always consult a doctor or a lactation consultant.