Hello there!
You've probably heard all this already but here's my two pen'orth/experience.
DS loved bfing, at 3 weeks he was feeding for 20 mins a time every 90 mins, he was becoming a broach but you need earlier stuff than that.
I found the initial pain was awful, my bf supporter friend called it 'the 10 second toe curler'! Basically, if the pain went on past 10 seconds, the positioning wasn't quite right, so I popped him off (break the seal by putting the little finger in the corner of his mouth)and tried again. DH had much mirth at me drumming my feet on the laminate floor at the initial latch on. I had cracked bleeding nips for a few days too. My wonderful MW suggested rubbing a little of my own milk into them and it works like magic.
my advice is
Don't worry too much. Yes it's awful at first but it does get better quickly (by the 3 weeks you could have put bulldog clips on my nipples and I wouldn't have noticed )
Check your positioning, remember that you're breast feeding, not nipple feeding so make sure your babe has a good mouthful of areola as well as nipple. I found the mantra of 'tummy to tummy, nipple to nose' worked really well for me.
Relax. It's never perfect all the time or everytime at first. If the positioning trick doesn't work, stop, have a cuppa then try again. Please don't be hard on yourself.
I had times when I thought I couldn't do it. I used to set myself little targets (1st 3 weeks, 1st 6 weeks, back to birthweight, double lowest weight, double birthweight) I'd see how I felt after each one. By 2x lowest weight he was onto solids and I wasn't looking back.
Remember, it's early days, It does get better and very soon you'll be enjoying it (honest!). Well done for trying and even if you choose to chuck the towel in, be proud of yourself for giving it a go.
FYI, I managed 13.5 months of feeding DS and I am proud to say he never had any formula at all.
You can do it, big hugs and all the very best with it.