Help! can not get a correct latch

[LisbonMom]

out of curiosity, were you bleeding because of a latch problem?

I do believe so. I had a chance to talk with the only LLL consultant we have by phone, when I was bf'ing Isabel, and from what she said I thought back to my Luisa days and I think she never latched on properly. There's a big difference for the breast when baby is latched 100% well or just 90%. She ate just fine (gained weight like crazy), but boy did my nipples hurt!
The consultant explined to me that with the 100% correct latch, the nipple doesn't touch anything and is therefore not squeezed and doesn't get moist, so it doesn't crack. But it's hard to get there without proper help...

Hope the kids  feel better today. Keep at it sweety - one day at a time. Do you have those creams for hurt nipples? If you can get through that initial phase it will get better!

[Samuel's mum]

The consultant explined to me that with the 100% correct latch, the nipple doesn't touch anything and is therefore not squeezed and doesn't get moist, so it doesn't crack. But it's hard to get there without proper help...

That's true. It's all about the nipple going enough into the baby's mouth. If it's not far enough in - then it rubs against the hard palate - ouch. Once it's in properly it bypasses the hard palate and neatly nestles against the comfy soft palate. Feel in your own mouth the roof of your mouth and the difference between the hard and soft palate.
Plus cracks on one side of a nipple can mean you are being 'pulled' the opposite way by baby's positioning. So look at your cracks and think 'which side are they on? So what direction is my nipple being pulled in unnaturally? Can I compensate and change the position?'

This rather medical diagram ( I used to have a gentler b+w version I can't find - apologies) show how far back in the baby's mouth nipple should be going. The baby's suction, if correct, will extend the nipple like this. (Baby creates a complete air lock with a good latch so not clicking sound or sounds or air entering.)

It sounds like you are not giving up. We just need to get the family well so you can go out and find your helpers!