Babies just love to nurse. At the breast your little one not only receives your milk, but your love. It's no surprise that she wants to spend a lot of time "camping out" at her favorite place.

I have heard many mothers say that their baby is "using them as a pacifier." I know this is a comment made by moms who are feeling overwhelmed by all the care and time it takes to mother a baby. I totally understand these feelings, because I've been there myself. I also know that it is wonderful to pacify your baby at your breast, and to know that you are all your baby needs or wants at that moment.

Three-month-old babies do need to spend quite a lot of time being fed, whether they are nursed or bottle fed. Evening can be a time when your baby clusters her feeds close together. This is very common. It could be that she has started to space out her feeds during the day a bit. Around three months of age a baby is beginning to take a real interest in the world around her. She may become distracted at the breast. This can also make the nighttime feeds take on a new importance. Depending on her feeding pattern, she may be taking in a good portion of her calories in the evening. Breastmilk is digested in less than two hours, so generally, babies of this age nurse every two to threehours.

Because most of us are tired in the evening, the nighttime feeds, especially when they are frequent, can be frustrating. You can encourage your daughter to nurse more during the day by carrying her (a baby sling really helps!) as you go about your work. She will have easy access to your breast and will greatly benefit from all the close contact with you. You might want to try this, and see if it helps to decrease the frequency of those evening feeds.

Since you are feeling overwhelmed by your daughter's nursing pattern, it is really important for you to find ways to take care of yourself. You can't keep giving and giving when you are running on empty. See how you can nurture yourself on a daily basis. Maybe getting out and taking a walk in the sunshine and fresh air each day will help to energize you. Connecting with other new moms can be so helpful. If none of your friends are nursing their babies you can begin attending La Leche League meetings and meet and talk with other women, who have remarkably many of the same questions and concerns as you do. Good friends can really help to get you through challenging times. Make it a point to take time for yourself each day. Don't forget the importance of eating well. Good, healthy food often goes by the wayside when you have a baby in the house. Make sure you have healthy, easy to grab snacks around your house, so you will still be well fed on your busiest of days. You can place containers of cut-up fruit and vegetables in the refrigerator, so a snack will be ready in a moments notice. When your baby needs to be at your breast a lot in the evening, it can be helpful to set up a nursing area with everything you might need in arm's reach. Get comfortable and use this time to really relax.

Think of ways to simplify your life, and allow yourself to enjoy these times with your baby, without feeling guilty about what's not getting done. Feedings will begin to space out before you know it. This time of intensity will pass. Best wishes to you and your family!