Frequent Feedings

 It sounds to me like a combo of "comfort nursing" and a growth spurt (your supply will increase to meet his demand, don't worry!) ... and he is right on target for a growth spurt at this time! My advice would be to find a good nipple cream to ease discomfort (you can also use nipple-sheilds if it becomes too painful) and just let him nurse-on-demand all day and hopefully he will get "tanked up" from all the feedings and sleep a longer stretch at night.
In other words, I wouldn't try to 'structure' or limit his daytime feedings. My youngest nursed like this and it actually worked out well b/c he slept like a champ after a day of marathon-nursing! 
This is JMO but I wouldn't start him on solids until he is at least 4-6 months old... prematurely beginning solid foods like rice-cereal has been linked to obesity later in life. His gut is still forming and his body isn't ready to process solids yet. Again, JMO.
Good luck-- I've been there... you (and your boobs) will be Ok ;)

-V