8 month old waking to breastfeed 4-8 times a night

[MommyMika]

My son will be 8 months old next week, and he's waking up several times a night to breastfeed.

I understand they don't need night feedings at this age, and it's usually habit... BUT I think he's actually hungry because:

1: In the day he gets way too distracted to nurse. He'll only nurse for a good length of time if he's sleepy (I know nursing to sleep is a no no, and it NEVER was my routine before... but I have been the past week or so because that's the only time he'll concentrate enough to take in a whole meal!)

2: He'll nurse for an average of 10 mins, and then whine and push away from me when done because he wants his bed... so it's not like he's using it to go back to sleep.

Help?

[momma.bear]

I would say that you're right, he is hungry, but it's doubtful that he's hungry up to 8 times a night. At that age, LOs should only need 4 feedings a day, so if he is feeding for 10 mins at a time during his NWings, then likely there is something else going on as well.
Does he have a soother? Re-plugging him may help reduce the NWings if that's the case. Also my LO gets distracted when nursing as well. I've resorted to pumping and bottle feeding. I bottle feed while distracting her with a toy. A few other recommendations- try a breast feeding necklace to distract him, try feeding in the dark, and feeding right after a nap when he's still sleepy.
By upping his intake during the day, hopefully some of the NWings reduce. And like you said, I do think it's habit. He may be hungry a few times at night, but it's a little excessive!

[MommyMika]

I would say that you're right, he is hungry, but it's doubtful that he's hungry up to 8 times a night. At that age, LOs should only need 4 feedings a day, so if he is feeding for 10 mins at a time during his NWings, then likely there is something else going on as well.
Does he have a soother? Re-plugging him may help reduce the NWings if that's the case. Also my LO gets distracted when nursing as well. I've resorted to pumping and bottle feeding. I bottle feed while distracting her with a toy. A few other recommendations- try a breast feeding necklace to distract him, try feeding in the dark, and feeding right after a nap when he's still sleepy.
By upping his intake during the day, hopefully some of the NWings reduce. And like you said, I do think it's habit. He may be hungry a few times at night, but it's a little excessive!

Thanks so much!!! Those are some great tips

[Bex09]

Totally agree with momma.bear she has given you some great advice there. Let us know how you get on.