Looking for a little support... or encouragement

[firemommaof1]

I think I need some encouragement ... My daughter is 18 months old and my third baby. She is by far the most needy nurser of the bunch. She nurses all the time!
I have always nursed on demand with all my kids until they wean. I nurse her on demand still. The issues I'm starting to have is the night nursing. She is nursing like a newborn! Up like every couple hours. Some I think is habit and she likes the closeness. She has a crib in our room and when she nurses I pull her into bed then when she's done I put her back in her bed (unless I've fallen asleep again).
I guess I need some encouragement that this is ok. Hubby is really supportive so no issues there... He would like to see me get some more sleep but never says anything about her being this old and still nursing.

Any encouragement words to help me see this will not last forever? My other two were weaned at this age and had already been sleeping thru the night. I know she will not be nursing forever ... but does it get better at night? will she take on a better sleep pattern soon? I am not ready to wean and neither is she.

Edit: I'm also wondering if she really needs the extra calories at night. She is still really small. 18 months and almost 17lbs. She has always been a peanut so maybe this is her way to keep up nutrition?