can anyone help me with the best tactic for gradual retreat with 15 month old?

[peanutbuttersarnies]

So I have always taken the easy option of feeding or rocking him to sleep. Feeding doesnt work much anymore unless he is exhausted. So I normally end up rocking him which only takes a few minutes but i sense its going to getmote difficult as he gets older.
I tried a few gentle methods of settling him when he was about a year old which worked without any crying but thenhe got a virus and i reverted to rocking him cos he was upset.
There always seems to be a reason to put off sleep training. Colds, teething, holiday coming up etc. Just now it feels to hot and muggy to sleep train but i'm not sure i should put it off any longer.
I tried putting him in his cot a few times but he just gets upset. I started getting in bedside him to cuddle him as that settles him. But he just trys to climb on me. I think he is trying to get me to rock him to sleep. I wonder if havibg me in there isnt a good idea.
Does anyone have any techniques if you stay with them? I dont mind staying and singing or whatever but none of that seems to work. Should i stay in the room but with my back turned? Any help would be muh appreciated.
Tia

bedtimelive.channel4.com/episodes/

You need to watch everyone of theses episode which shows the technique in action in real life and the brilliant results.

Thanks. I watched i think all of them when they were on tv. I think with the 13 month old they lay next to cot and put a hand on her. I cant really do this as he wriggles around so much. I thibk it is maybe just annoying him. With a couple of the older toddlers i think they either settled them in a bed with a cuddle or sat next to cot with back turned. I suppose i've answered my own question. Was just looking for other peoples experiences and to see if there was anything i could do to sooth him a bit. I feel a bit mean ignoring him.

I did the mattress next to the cot routine. I didn't ignore him - I put my hand in so he could hold it if he wanted and if he got a bit upset I sat up and cuddled him through the bars. If he was really upset I picked him up again of course but otherwise I let him crawl around the cot till he crashed out. It took a while the first few nights but it did get easier

Thanks kat. I think thats what i need to do. He had hardky any naps today and fell asleep during feed. Its so easy when that happens i love it! But think i am going to have to change something. Was yours a similar age? And had previously been fed to sleep?

There was a great thread on this last year. An too tired to dig out now but will do tomorrow.

Thanks amateur that wiuld be great i did do s search but didnt think i could see any simikar questions. Will try agsin myself too

Yep he was fed to sleep for 13 months. Well, after about 11 to 12 months it was touch and go if it would work or not and often a rocking session had to come after the feed which was a real pain.

Found it! (Distraction from yet another nightmare bedtime...)

It was by a poster called nectarina, and it was called 'What worked for us. Hope this helps.' I would link but am shit. It was a long thread about gradual withdrawal - might have good advice or helpful experiences?

Thanks. Will look that up.