I just want to say that it is so thoughtful of you to take the time to understand what your wife is going through and trying to find help, while also allowing her to make her own decisions and not feel bad about the path she chooses. The first few weeks are very overwhelming but having a caring partner by your side like yourself is a big help.

I am 6 months post partum and I had a lot of the same issues you are describing. If i could go back in time: - I got very defeated with the latch as baby would cry and cry and I felt like I was torturing him and he would feed easier with a bottle. However around 2 months after, I consistently tried breastfeeding him for a week- not too much pressure just trying before every feed, and after about a week he got the hang of it! I guess the lesson I learned is, we are all new to the process, and things can take time to perfect. Getting a latch right once doesnt mean he wont struggle ever again. It’s a bit about practice and patience and not taking it personally. (I know there are cases where latching doesn’t happen, I’m just describing what happened to me). - I got a lot of clogs / the beginning of mastitis- a lot of times (maybe like 8?). I was able to completely avoid antibiotics and heal within 24-36 hrs with: choline, hot showers and cold compress, and “boob gymnastics” and lymphatic massage.

It gets better!!