Breastfeeding is one of the best things you can do for your new little bundle of joy!  Breastmilk contains antibodies that will help build up your babies immune system.  Formula does not contain those antibodies. 

I have nursed both of my babies and have had two different experiences. 

My experience nursing my son was challenging.  I was a first time Mom that didn't seek help and threw in the towel way to quickly.  My son nursed ok in the hospital but that all changed once we got home.  His latch was bad, I was sore and I gave up rather then try and fix the problem.  I pumped for 3 months and then switch him to formula. 

My daughter is a year old and has always been a nursing champ!  I had her via c-section so she was a few hours old before I was able to nurse her.  She latched on with no assistance or intervention needed the very first time!  Nursing was still very painful and I had clogged ducts often.  My breastfeeding friends all said "just give it 6 weeks and it'll get better".  Well, 6 weeks came and went and I was still having a clogged duct about every 3 day and pain with every nursing session.  When she was 8 weeks old I contacted the Lactation Consultant (LC) at the hospital b/c I was having so much pain that I was ready to give up and put her on formula.  She was breaking the suction often during feedings and causing me a lot of pain.  The LC checked out her latch and observed a feeding.  She came to the conclusion that I had fast fill ducts, overactive letdown, and high milk production.  Once I learned how to combat those issues nursing became a much more pleasant experience.   

Here are some things I did to make it over the hurdles I encountered while nursing. 

Clogged Ducts

• If you have a tender/painful place in your breast that you can pinpoint it's likely a clogged duct. 
• Before nursing and in between feedings hold a heating pad on your breast. 
• When nursing point the babies chin toward the tender/painful area.
• Gentle massage.  You don't want to massage hard enough to cause more pain and irritation and definently don't want to cause damage to the breast tissue.
• Nurse, Nurse, Nurse!!!  Nursing is the best way to unclog a clogged duct. 
• A clogged duct should not last longer than 24-48 hours.  If it does it could turn into Mastitis.  If you see red streaks or all over redness on your breast, you should contact your Doctor right away, as you could have developed Mastitis.

Overactive Letdown

• Before each feeding pump a minute or two.  You don't want to take milk away from your babys feeding.  So just pump long enough to stimulate your letdown.
• Doing this will likely keep your baby from breaking the suction b/c the flow of milk is too fast at letdown.

Fast Fill Ducts

• There really wasn't anything I could do about this one, except bite my tongue and wait a few seconds.  :o) 
• This doesn't last forever and does eventually go away once your milk levels out.

 High Milk Production

• Only do the things listed here if you have more than enough milk to satisfy your baby and wish to decrease your supply.
• After two feedings a day, place cold green cabbage leaves in your bra until they wilt, do this for 3 days and you should notice a decrease in your supply.  Dispose of leaves after each use.
• After all other feedings, place frozen diapers in your bra until thawed.  Wet and refreeze after each use.

Here are also a few items that I found helpfull during breastfeeding.

• Medela Double Pump in Style Electric Breast Pump
• Lansinoh Lanolin Ointment-helps to treat dry, cracked, sore nipples.
• Lansinoh Ultra Soft Nursing Pads-absorbant pads that keep your bra and clothes dry from leaking breasts.
• Medela Soothie Gel Pads-helps to sooth sore nipples.
• Medela Breast Shells-allows air flow around nipple, keeps bra from rubbing on sore nipples. 

I'll leave you with a few last tips:

• Seek out a Lactation Consultant!  You will likely get several visits from the LC at the hospital where you deliver.  I didn't have a LC in my area so I ended up using the hospital LC after we were discharged.  Check with your insurance company about coverage for outpatient lactation consults.  My insurance didn't pay for it.  But it was worth the $90 consult fee they charged to figure out what was going on and how to fix it.  There are many LC's that offer their services for free, it's just a matter of being in an area where they are available.
• Have a good support system in place before your baby is born that will carry through once you have gone home.  Breastfeeding is the best and most challenging thing I've done for my babies.  Your support person/people need to know what your breastfeeding intentions/goals are and they need to be willing to support your goals. 
• Take it one day at a time.  Like most things that envolve children there are good days and not so good days.  Keep this in mind when your 6 weeks old infant decided he/she doesn't want to eat and is unconsolable.  Babies often go through phases of eating a lot and eating a little.  It's normal!  As long as your baby is having good wet and poopy diapers everything should be ok.  If you are concerned about the amount your baby is eating or lack there of, CALL YOUR PEDIATRICIAN!

Disclaimer:  I'm not medically trained.  I'm just a mom that knows what worked for me.  When I was nursing my babies it seemed like everyone had a different experience or opinion about what to do when it came to nursing.  These are just the things I tried and had success with.