Breastfeeding pain help

My first baby I was not able to breastfeed. I did for a week but the pain was so bad that I would curl my toes and cry and end up bleeding. I saw 5 different lactation consultants and it ended up no one could help. He was latching but the pain was too much.

By the way...I did nipple shield, rubbing breastmilk and cream. Tried it all.

Did any of you find any way to help prepare your nipples for the next baby? I would really like to breastfeed my next one and am looking to get pregnant again in this next year but I’m more afraid of that pain again than the actual labor!

Any advice on anything you did to prepare if you went through something similar?