End of breastfeeding tether... ff at night?

[belindarose]

We feel we're getting to a crisis point with our 4 month old ebf baby. Long boring story, please advise if you can.
Great difficulty latching on at birth, due to my inverted nipples (and lack of support in hospital!). Managed to get to an excellent bf clinic and have been supported by them ever since. I expressed for the first four weeks, then she began to be able to latch onto one breast. Still can't feed from the left, but for a long time I was collecting the leaking milk during a feed from that side and storing it to supplement feeds. DD has always been 'fussy' around the evening feed (demands it at precisely 7pm!), so that has always remained an expressed milk feed - I pump while her dad feeds. Until about 4 weeks ago, this was enough to get her practically through the night.
For the last four weeks, DD has been waking 2 hourly for feeds after this 7pm feed. Some of the night feeds are up to an hour long. Increasingly, she's difficult to settle after a feed during the night - previously I'd just had to wrap her back up and plonk her in the cot.
Weight gain has been of some concern - we've seen a paediatrician who's okayed her though. She was a high birthweight baby at 95th centile and has steadily dropped through the centiles down to the 9th. Although she's been passed as healthy and we were told we didn't need to worry, we feel we can't be as relaxed about feeding as we'd like.
I now have thrush and have been given canesten. GP didn't think DD had it, so she's not being treated. As I can only use the one breast, it doesn't get a break and is agony!
So after another night of frequent wakings, unsettled baby and unhappy mummy, we're considering a formula feed before bed tonight. Most unfortunately, the bf clinic I visit is off this week so I can't get their advice.
Can anyone suggest anything other than this 'solution', which I'm aware may well not help her sleep better anyway? She has a nice bedtime 'routine' and good daytime naps (one in cot, the rest in a sling), usually being awake about 2 hours between naps. She's very active, learned to roll over a few days ago and now won't stay in one place! Very happy and alert most of the time.
Sorry for long post. Not sure it expresses my desperation adequately.

The only thing that comes to mind is her increased feeding is down to her increased activity.
Baby's sleep pattern's within the first year can always change, their changing and learning new things every day and need the calarific input to achieve these milestones.
Re the thrush I'm very suprised your GP didn't prescribe a preventative measure for your baby. I had thrush once and even though my son didn't my GP prescribed Nystatin (I think that's the spelling) to ensure he didn't catch it.
So perhaps your baby has thrush now, hence the long and fidgety feeds.
One more thing, I so admire your determnation to continue BF its a truly wonderful experience and a truly wonderful thing to do for your children.

Thanks for your support, Treadmillmom. Poor baby has also had a cold for a few weeks, has been away with us for most of Christmas period to grandparents, is suffering with bad excema and teething. I'm surprised she's as cheerful as she is, and feel terribly guilty and selfish for not wanting to feed her all night long if that's what she needs.

It's okay to feel annoyed and wound up when you hear them calling you for yet another feed in the night, you're only human you need your sleep.
I've had 3 and I swear it passes so quickly though at the time it feels like a never ending hell.
All mothers have to go through sleepless nights, not just BF ones.
If she is your only child treat yourself to a duvet day, lie in bed with her all day, let her feed whenever she wants (great for your supply) and doze, sleep, watch a bit of telly.
I loved the early days of constant feeds it was an excellent excuse to watch movies, box sets, catch up tv etc I always had all remote controls, mug of tea, chocolate to hand and just kick back.
When I had my first I think I watched the entire box set of Cold Feet, approx 10 series, each with 6 episodes.
DC2 was Lost.
DC3 no bloody chance.

Nothing really to add - apart from you are doing a wonderful job!

Just a thought what about a snuggler - I will try find one on the web if you are not sure of what they are - I thought this may help at night, since your baby is turning.

The DVD suggestion is spot on - it is key to my breastfeeding.

Good luck

DD - Westwing and House.

Sympathisng. Tis hard.

How often are you feeding between 4 and 7 and in he evening?

Thanks everyone. I did watch an enormous number of DVDs in the early days when she was feeding for hours during the day. Quite disappointed when her daytime feeds became really short! I'll find some more things to enjoy at night, so that I'm not so resentful about getting up. Haven't seen West Wing, so perhaps it should be that.
Mumblecrumble - I'm feeding 4 times between around 4 and 8.30pm, the 7pm being expressed milk. Last night she made it to 11pm before needing more. It was a better night really, maybe because the thrush has improved - I wasn't completely dreading each feed because of the pain! Slept from 5am till 9.30 in our bed - we don't really want to co-sleep properly though.