This little one has done such a wonderful job nursing and I couldn't be happier that we have stuck with it!
To be honest, in the beginning of this journey {yes it is a journey} I didn't know if I was fully up for the challenge. I stocked up on formula just in case breastfeeding wasn't for me. {obviously I didn't give myself enough credit}
Right after Little Miss was born we did have some struggles with latching on and I was in a lot of pain. I do remember at one point calling my mom and telling her that it felt like Little Miss was hiding razor blades in her mouth. It was a continuous fight to not just throw in the towel. I spoke to 2 close friends who helped me teach Little Miss to correct her latch. {Only a wide open mouth gets rewarded!! Best advice ever!!} Also, I was told that by by 2 months it wouldn't hurt any more.
So getting to 2 months was my goal. If it still hurt then I was d-o-n-e!
I continued to cry at each feeding but then miraculously it stopped hurting ... exactly at 2 months.
Whew!! I don't know how we would have been able to afford to buy formula on our tight income!
While my milk supply was stabilizing I would pump once a day in the morning just to make sure I was fully empty. But I stopped pumping almost altogether in the beginning of February.
I am still a fan of the on demand feeding schedule and that seems to work for us!
Now breastfeeding in public is a totally different story. I have only attempted to breastfeed in public 1 time {unless you count nursing in the car} because Little Miss was completely inconsolable. It was at Little Man's indoor soccer game. I went to the front desk at asked the woman if there was a private place I could feed my baby. {I would have gone to the car if it wasn't so cold outside} She said that there was a lounge area on the second floor.
I rushed up the stairs to the second floor with my screaming baby. I walked the halls back and forth and never saw a private lounge area. But then I noticed a bunch of comfy type chairs in the hallway. {It felt like a light bulb when off} Duh ... this is the lounge. Right out in the open for the whole club to see! Hmm what to do.
I still had a screaming baby so I did what any logical mother would do.
I sat down in one of the comfy chairs and feed my baby. She quieted down and fell asleep.
Needless to say that in a sports complex only dudes are walking around. I did get a lot of stares but no one said anything. {I am seriously terrified of making a scene or getting yelled at when it comes to breastfeeding in public ... oh the anxiety}
All in all, breastfeeding is wonderful!! I love my bonding time with Little Miss!
Cabbage: This was wonderful during my days {and nights} after my milk came in. I kept the head of cabbage in the fridge and when I was started to get engorged I would tear off a leaf, crumple it, and stick it directly in my bra. It gave me such wonderful relief.
Hot Shower: If the cold cabbage leaves were not helping relieve the engorgement quick enough for my liking I would jump in a hot shower. This would relieve the pressure and worked wonders. Once I got out of the shower I would just allow my breasts to leak for awhile which softened my breasts enough for Little Miss to latch on.
Infant Diapers: If you do not have time to jump into a hot shower fill two newborn diapers with hot water and place them directly on your breasts. This will also relieve engorgement and allow your breasts to leak without telling them to make more milk. The diapers are so absorbent that they will catch the milk while still holding the water you poured in them. 
Boppy Pillow: What a great invention!! I use my boppy pillow every time I nurse. {Sometimes I feel like a little kid carrying this pillow around with me everywhere I go} The pillow allows your arms to position the baby with out having to hold the baby up. The pillow does all the work for you.
Lanolin: This sticky ointment goes directly on your sore nipples. It helps heal them and eases the cracks nursing a hungry baby gives you. Just coat your nipples after every feeding.
Coconut Oil: When lanolin is just too sticky to put on your nipples try coconut oil. This oil will melt when it hits your skin and does provide soothing relief. Use just like you would the lanolin and place it on your nipples after every feeding.
Nursing pads: Your breasts will leak and you don't want to have to change your shirt and bra every time they do. The nursing pads will catch any leaking breast milk just make sure to change them often.
Nursing Tank Top: While your breasts are still engorged your boobs look like bowling balls. You won't really want to have any constricting on them like a bra. A nursing tank top will also cover your not so pretty and still swollen stomach. The nursing tank top has a flap that will come down when you are ready to feed your baby.
Nursing Bra: Once the engorgement goes away {for the most part} you will want to start wearing a bra again. {I wear mine all the time ... morning, noon, and night}. It makes breastfeeding easier to have a flap fold down rather than taking your bra off completely every time the baby is hungry.
Water: Drink lots and lot of water. This will help your body make milk and you will constantly be thirsty. I fill a reusable cup with a lid all day long and drink as much water as possible.
Advil: I take 3 advil in the morning and this helps with any pain that breastfeeding has caused. I love my Advil.
Cell Phone: After having a new baby friends and family members will call you {a lot} to check on how you and baby are doing. It can be very frustrating to be nursing your baby and your cell phone is going off across the room. Just bring it with you before you start nursing.
TV Remote: While you are nursing and you are still in pain it does help to be distracted. Just put on some nonsense and get lost in what you are watching. Once it gets easier you will find it easier to look into your babies eyes and enjoy the moment.
A list of people who support you in breastfeeding: Breastfeeding isn't easy but it is so important to find people who encourage you to continue. {Honestly there were several days I wanted to throw in the towel.} A lactation consultant or friend who has breastfeed her babies will be great resources to help you in your journey.