Hi - i have been BF Ewan since he was born - If you can breast feed then great - if you can don't worry - there are lots of bottle babes out there.
From my point of view, i think breast feeding requires a certain amount of will power. as yes it does hurt in the first few weeks and now and again it will probably get sore.
You can't see how much the baby is getting and expressing does not give you a reliable view of how much the baby is getting -and expressing is not as efficent as a baby suckling.
You will feel like a mobile milk bar - ewan was feeding every 1.5 -2 hours up untill 4months and would wake only 2x at night which was fine.
Timeing the feeds goed from when you start so i would feed at 1pm and he would be ready for another feed at 2.30 and he would take around 40 mins for a feed so you don't get much of a break in between.
The main thing is rest and eat properly, and drink - as you will get quite dehydrated.
I used nipple shields at the start because i was so engorged he couldn't latch on -alsp my milk was fast flow so it slowed that slightly so he could feed - and i gradually at each feed tried him with out the shield and we eventually got rid of it - the midwife was very anti nipple shield.
Buy lots of breast pads and take a spare t shirt with you - incase of leakage.
(it does happen)
Find out if there is a breast feeing support group near you MOBS (mothers offering breastfeeding support) MOMS (mothers own milk) these groups are great and helped me so much you can go before you havebaby. its great to see your not on your own..
I have really enjoyed BF something close between me and ewan - knowing i got him this far.
I started weaning him at 4 months and gave him one bottle of formula a day from 3 months so he knew what a bottle was.
hopethis is of help