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This is all amazing advice, I wish this thread had been around when I was starting!

I would just add:

- I had no idea that it would be so difficult for LO to latch when I was engorged. I basically thought that being engorged was a good thing, or at most mildly uncomfortable. But my boobs were so rock hard there was no "give" to help him latch, so he'd just slide right off. I found it useful to apply moist heat for a minute or so, then pump off a bit of milk using a manual pump (pump for about 10 minutes, or whatever). It can be tricky to time things but if you know LO eats every 2 hours, then you can pump off at the 1 hour and 45 minute mark, etc. That can relieve some pressure and make it easier. Also, look up "reverse pressure softening" which can also make it easier to latch.

- Remember that LO is learning, too. Breastfeeding is a natural thing, but it can still take time for them to learn how to open wide enough, and sometimes they physically can't, how to find your nipple (they can't see very well so you have to guide them), etc. I made it so adversarial in those first few weeks, so when he'd be ravenous but WOULD NOT LATCH properly, I would get so upset with him. And then somebody told me this, that he's not doing it on purpose, and I developed a much more relaxed attitude toward it and instead of getting all stressed out and mad when he wouldn't latch, I could be more gentle and take breaks with him and stuff. Which can only help.You'd be surprised how much your vibe plays into things.

- You will be hungrier than you've ever been in your life. Somebody suggested I keep snack packs in every room, so I went to Whole Foods and bought a bunch of stuff like chocolate covered almonds, chunks of energy, granola bars, crackers, dried fruit, and put some in ziploc bags that then went into large ziploc bags. And I kept one in my bedroom and one in the living room. I also bought a Camelbak bottle so I always had lots of water on hand, and it was easier to drink from than a cup.

- Another way of knowing if LO's latch is good or bad, is if the nipple comes out looking misshapen. If it looks like a tube of lipstick or a party hat, then it's not right. This was useful to me because it was very painful at first even when his latch was good, but when he would come off, I'd have an idea of OK, that was a good one, versus, that wasn't a good one, we need to work on that next time.

- Ibuprofen is your friend.

@Espion: Glad you're going to see an LC. Sometimes I call mine my fairy godmother.

As for the shallow latch, what hold are you using? Football tends to be easier than cross-cradle for a newborn in terms of getting a good, deep latch. I also find this link helpful in terms of the process for getting a good latch: http://www.pumpstation.com/pumpstation/dept.asp?dept_id=3228. What I learned in working with my LC is that sometimes it's a really small fix or positioning change that will make all the difference (e.g. making sure your hands are not on baby's head, this can cause them to clamp down. You should be cradling baby's neck with your thumb and forefinger).

@Espion: I mentioned this in your other thread but posterior tongue ties are easily missed and don't present like a "typical" tongue tie. Some soreness/pain is normal as you get used to nursing, but if you are in toe curling pain, bite your lip, tears in your eyes pain for more than 2 weeks or so, I would say that something else is up.

Also, have you heard of laid back nursing? I was never very good at it, but a lot of people swear by it! http://www.biologicalnurturing.com/video/bn3clip.html