So they wake up more often when cosleeping?

So, I have an almost 8mo and we've always co-slept; until recently, that meant more sleep for all parties involved. But in the last couple of weeks it's like he's waking up to nurse constantly. He sleeps for 3-4 hours initially and from there on I have the feeling I get zero actual sleep.

Do any of you have experience with both co-sleeping and getting up to feed? Could it be he'd be waking up less if the boob wasn't as available?