How Often Do You Breastfeed an 8 Month Old Typically?

hi J., my kids always nursed a lot, at that age, too. usually a couple of times a night. i always just fed them whenever they wanted, sounds like you are doing the same. it definitely could be for comfort in part, you should be able to tell the difference if you really pay attention to how he asks and how he nurses, i know its hard to pay that close attention when you are delerious with lack of sleep. be sure you are drinking enough water, and be sure that he finishes the first breast first, before you switch sides, its the hindmilk at the end that keeps him full, and also gives him the fat he needs for brain development. also be sure your house isnt really dry, he could just be thirsty, i know that if we dont have the humidifier cranking during the winter, we all wake up thirsty during the night. if all that is ok, then he is probably just a hungry one, like mine were, and he will probably slow down soon. good luck, and good job, D.

Hi J., I recently (last Monday) moved my daughter (8 1/2 mos) out of my bed & into her own crib & own room. Since making this switch she has actually stopped nursing at night all together! I was VERY shocked at this change & did not expect it. Please understand that she was not in anyway an easy baby at night prior to this move. It was just that cosleeping was not working as well as it had when she was smaller & no one was getting enough sleep. Is your son in bed with you? I think that having me & the breast so close w/such easy access that anytime she awoke, rather than putting herself back she would just nurse. I was nursing 2-3 times a night. During the day I do not give her 3 solid meals but 2 meals (breakfast & dinner) then we nurse throughout day. I am getting ready to move into 3 meals soon though. His nursing at night might be a habit or he might really need it. I would suggest trying to put him back to sleep w/out nursing until he's sleep for at least 5 hours or so (you set how long.. maybe just 4 hours to begin with since he's still nursing so frequently) and see how he handles it. Do whatever you can to get him to sleep w/out nursing- even send Dad in b/c since he can't nurse him your son's first response won't be to get the boob. I hope things work out for you soon and you can get some rest!!

I breastfed my son until he was 9 mos old. I fed him on demand until this time. I can't remember how many times a day he was nursing up until that point. But by 7 mos he still wasn't sleeping through the night and we had to force him to do it. He really was only getting up once a night by then. Here is what I did.
Let's say tonight he wakes up at 11:30 for his feeding. Tomorrow night he needs to sleep 15 mins later (11:45). If he wakes up before that let him cry. Every night push it back 15 mins. But lets say that that the next night he doesn't wake until 12:30. Don't go back to 11:45 make him wait until 12:45 the following night. Eventually he'll stop waking up during the night.
When we did this with our son, the second night he woke up at 11:30 (he was suppose to sleep until 12:45) so we let him cry. He cried 6 mins and went back to sleep. He never woke up for another feeding. I wouldn't let him cry excessively though. No more then 15 mins.

My daughter is now 10 months, but around 7-8 months she was doing the same thing. I think it was because she was too "busy" during the day to nurse. By busy I mean playing and learning about the world around her. Now she only feeds about once a night, but she will still go all afternoon without wanting to nurse,than at bedtime she takes her fill. Some people will suggest you cut down on feedings at night, but you should do what you feel is right for you and your baby. You may want to listen hard and figure out if he is actually drinking or just using you as a pacifier to soothe himself.

Hi J.,

I nursed my son until he was 18 months old. Until he was 14 months he nursed in the morning before his solid meal, at nap time (after his solid lunch meal), after dinner, at bedtime, and then several times during the night. My son was not a good sleeper, and nursing him was the only way I could get him to sleep / back to sleep. Your son is more than likely nursing during the night for comfort...but at this point in his life, it is our job's as mom's to comfort our children. So, as long as it isn't interferring with your marriage or anything like that, I would continue to do it. When my son was 14 months, I started working. The nursing then cut down to bedtime, and during the night. Eventually he weined himself off of the breast, and by 18 months he ws totally done. It is such a short period of time that they are this small. Enjoy it.

hi J., I'm nursing my daughter about 2-3 times a night - she's 14 months, this probably started at 6 months (before she was sleeping through the night for 2-3 mns) during the day around 2-3 times (before nap, bedtime feedings) anyway, my pediatrician told me she's probably teething , because her weight seems to be ok comparing to previous check ups. if you son seems to be gaining ok or more than ok, then he's probably nursing for comfort, or could be teething (so again for comfort) Night time feedings are the most nutritious for your baby. if you feel its right for you weather he's hungry or just doing it as a habit or comfort then continue doing it, because it's absolutely normal and common. if you want to wean him from night feedings, i would think it will be challenging, do you want to go through crying and hassle in the middle of the night? just do what's right for both of you, no matter what anyone says, great job, keep it up. good luck to both of you!