Forgive me if this is already in MMK's mammoth post (bound to be, I guess ), and I have posted about this before - a long time ago, before we had real bumps, I think - but it's sometimes useful to get people's RL experiences, isn't it?
I BFed DS for a year; six months exclusively, then six alongside solids, no formula. I am categorically not a Jersey Cow type; never got the really huge norks (big for me, but everything is relative ) and I never leaked once. This made me worry that I didn't have enough milk, of course, but nonetheless DS grew from whatever did come out of my own personal breasts.
Top tip: swaddling. Even if you don't want/ you baby doesn't want to use this for sleeping (though I think it's a great precursor to the Grobag myself), my HV explained that it stops the baby's arms flailing and ensures a better grip. You only need to do this for the first few weeks.
Second tip: little fingers. Whenever BF is really hurting, it is likely to be because the latch is bad; as soon as it starts to hurt more than a little, hook your little finger into LO's cheek and s/he will instantly detach. NEVER, no matter what the temptation, simply pull him off [watery eyes emoticon]
Third tip: when getting BFing established, try the (nauseating yet useful) mantra my MW taught me: Nose to nipples and tummies to mummies. The LO should have a nice open mouth (you can kind of juggle your boob to help him achieve this), with more of the bottom part of your nipple in his mouth than the top. Again, once you and he know what you are doing, you don't have to think about this and can simply shove him up your jumper.
Fourth tip: it is likely that you will have to put up with very, very frequent feeding at first (DS was every 90 mins - 2 hours); this is normal, if exhausting, and WILL settle down, but you do need to go with it. I've bought a ring sling to help with that this time around, as those who know about those things tell me it makes a big difference, especially if you have other kids to look after.
Fifth tip: remember that all over the world, most babies are bfed; we are so unconfident about it here because we so seldom see our rellies and friends and random people doing it, so normal stuff - conversations about latching etc - rarely happen. Don't be afraid to make them happen with other mums at mother & baby groups etc.
Sixth tip: good nipple cream. I echo the recommendations for Lanisoh (sp??). Slather it on, right from before the second feed. Lovely stuff.
I am hoping to bf again; okay, there might be reasons why it can't happen - who knows? But all things being equal, I intend to try and I intend my default position to be that I will succeed, iyswim. If I don't, there will be a reason that is likely to be medical rather than psychological.
Hope this doesn't sound arrogant; I know there are people on this thread who have had a horrid time with bfing, but I do suspect that for many, it has had to do with poor advice and help. I was lucky, I had great help. A mate of mine, btw, was helped enormously with painful, engorged breasts by an NCT BF counsellor, who basically came and held her boobs and did strange things until all was well again, and she was able to continue to bf. So a good counsellor can be great (although I hear some are not so good, so if you don't like yours, trust your instincts).
Anyway, thought I'd post this for what it's worth, and hope I haven't upset anyone unwittingly