Breastfeeding help! Ftm about to break

[Cemkg123]

My baby girl is 2 weeks old, first baby.
I decided to try breastfeeding as I was told that is best and there's alot of support for it, even though nobody in my family or friends have breastfed.
So just over 2 weeks in and my nipples are very sore, not constantly but this is the second time they've become incredibly painful to the point I want to cry. I don't think baby is latching on properly, I've spoken to 2 different midwives about it and the health visitor and all of which didn't really help. One said it looks like she's slipping down the nipple once she's comfy and to just re-attach when she does this but it's not working. She's also constantly feeding/wanting my nipple in her mouth. I've tried a dummy twice but she just spits it out.
Im also scared to actually persevere with the dummy incase I miss feeding cues, because she is contanstly wanting to be attached to me I don't actually know her routine of feeding. Which also scares me to try expressing and using a bottle, as I just don't know for sure when she feeds. Usually the one in the morning and one at night are the longest so I guess that's 2 feeding times I know of?
But I feel I can't do anything, like go out or housework because she cries to be fed or comforted every 15 mins. I'm also not sleeping because she won't go in her crib, only really sleeps on my chest so I'm too scared to sleep incase I roll over.
She's also started grunting and pulling at my nipple while feeding, and when ice googled it, it gives me like 10 different reasons why she could be doing it which isn't really any help. And she chokes alot and coughs during most feeds.
I don't know how long I can take this, I'm getting frustrated, it's hurting and I feel like a failure if I give up.
Anybody have any advice? Should I express and use a bottle for some feeds? Should I persevere with a dummy? She's puttin on weight. She gained 11 oz in 6 days. I just don't know what to do and the professionals don't seem to be much help
Sorry for the long post!

I would echo all the advice youve had, but I would also suggest trying a different hold, I had a lot of success in the early days with holding my ds rugby ball style, under the arm, rather than cradling. Also if your nipples are very sore, try a nipple shield, they helped me immensely.

It's not true that breastfeeding is painless with the right latch, for the first few weeks it is going to be painful as your nipples toughen up. But from about 6 weeks for me it suddenly became loads easier. Also keep in mind that babies may need to feed more in hot weather, breast milk is their only source of fluids and when it's hot we all need to drink more, babies too.

Just remember, if your baby is making wet and dirty nappies, and is putting on weight, then they are getting what they need.

If your nipples are really sore get a nipple shield for feeding. It does sound like it could be a tongue tie, possibly posterior if noone has picked it up.

I have had several friends use nipple shields exclusively and with no issues. No need to supplement or do anything else.

Google "Baby Cafe" and visit your nearest one for expert, one to one breastfeeding help. They are highly recommended. They can assess for tongue tie and probably arrange for treatment for it, if required. They can also check for other possible causes of sore nipples such as candida.

If you want to introduce a bottle of formula it would be great if you can hold off until the milk supply is established at around 6 weeks. However, if you are desperate, try and wait till she is 4 weeks old to prevent nipple confusion. It definitely gets easier in time. Congratulations on your little one!

My baby slipped down the nipple during feeding and left it lipstick shaped. Turned out to be quite a severe tongue tie. It was missed by a lot of midwives though before we saw one trained to spot TT. Agree with pp that either going to a bf support group or a bf consultant would be a good plan.

@Cemkg123 how are you getting on? I'm also a first time mum, baby 4 weeks old on Friday, and I could have written your post - in exactly the same boat!

Lansinoh has helped my nipples and also switching different positions so he doesnt irritate the same spot each time. I've been co-sleeping as he won't sleep in his cot.

When he does the grunting/pulling away thing I usually wind him and then offer the other side. He often needs to be relatched on one side in particular, and that side still hurts nearly 4 weeks in, but persevering. Good luck!

It definitely sounds like a tongue tie, if you're still battling on try and get seen by an ibclc x