The first 6 weeks are when BFing gets established and you learn how to do it. After the 6 week growth spurt, things really do settle down-babies often go longer between feeds, sleep more at night and become more interactive (which makes more difference than you ca imagine!)

People who switch to formula at around the 4-6 week mark often believe that the formula has made the difference. In fact, the baby would probably have started settling anyway if still BFed. I really don't believe feeding method makes that much difference to the temperament of a baby. It just takes a bit more work to get BFin sorted and everyone settled.

The pain sounds like it could be a latch issue. Has a feed been observed by a qualified LC? It may also be thrush if you had antibiotics since LO was born. Is the pain just at the beginning of a feed? Thrush pain would last the whole feed and potentially between feeds too. I remember dreading the next feed, that's quite common when you're dealing with sore nipples. I remember crying because LO was wanting his next feed about an hour free the last one and my nipples were throbbing and I kept saying to my husband 'it's not fair, I don't want to feed him again'. FF for me though wasn't an option, so I gritted my teeth and got on with it. It took about 8 weeks for feeds to be easy. It felt like a lifetime at the time, but it's actually a tiny portion of your baby's life.