Baby had sleep issues right from the beginning- very problematic, although nothing structurally is wrong. Also, he had severe colic problems, and a very painful eczema condition. So it was quite usual to only sleep for half an hour at a time for us. For many months.
Now, baby is 2, and has outgrown many issues, and we are grateful- but he still wakes up every two hours. Sometimes less, sometimes more. The only way I've ever been able to put him to sleep is nursing. He is very wakeful, and stays up very late, but he's accepted a bedtime routine that ends in nursing; yet when he wake up at night, he wants to nurse back to sleep too. I have been very sleep deprived these two years, and it's been hard on my immune system- many bouts of mastitis. Also, it's been hard on our family, and we need a gentle way to get this guy to sleep. He isn't comforted by a bottle, and will only take one every few days. He has no interest at all in pacifiers. Daddy is too tired so late at night to try putting him to bed.
Baby doesn't eat a wide variety of foods yet, or I would consider weaning. Nursing less frequently is somewhat of a concern, because of how many times I've had mastitis- I need to keep things empty. 
I am committed to a family bed, because it works best for baby, but we really need some practical advice for change here!! I have a feeling this is a commonly heard issue here- but where we are, the only advice seems to be: wean, and put him in his own room and let him cry it out. I just don't think this would be a peaceful choice for us right now.
I did find some stuff online about night weaning, but he cried so much that night that I hardly slept at all, and I just can't lose anymore sleep.
Thank you for wisdom.
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