[WinterIsComing]

Thanks for your answers but

I am utterly exhausted. I know this goes with the territory of a young bub but I have 3 friends who's 5 month old bubs started sleeping through at that age or waking for just one feed. And yes, I also know every bub is different. And I don't think I know anyone who's bubs weren't sleeping through (outside of obvious issues like teething etc) by the age of one. Boo hoo hoo to me.

I also read on various websites that they should be getting all their calories at 6 months so figured he might be close to not actually being hungry at night.

He is a distractable little thing so his day feeds he spends time clenching the nipple between his teeth and chatting and smiling at me. Very cute, but not as much milk going into him as I'd like. I've tried quiet, darkened day feeds but nothing much is different, he's still distracted.

In answer to PP's question, I don't go straight to him, and I have also tried having DH calm him a bit first but he just wants the booby.

Trust me, it is quite common for babies to wake up at night at or after 12 months of age, let alone before 6 months! I read that babies can actually get hungry overnight up until the age of one.
In my mothers' group, at 5 months, the majority of babies were waking up regularly.

He won't be distructed forever, it's just he is suddenly "waking up" to the world around him.

You know, it is so easy to spend the first year in a perpetual state of angst and search for solutions, "why won't he sleep" etc. It is such a short period in a child's life, over before you know it, just go with the flow and enjoy the special bonding moments. Don't waste energy on comparing your child to others'.

[blenheim]

Also remember that a lot of babies who are sleeping through at 5 months may start waking again at 7 or 8 months. It's tiring but unfortunately, very, very normal.