To be honest, he still is bf to sleep a lot of the time. But sometimes, if I catch him in the right mood not too sleepy/not too awake I can give him his bedtime feed, dump him down in the cot and leave the room and he will go off to sleep. He has also recently started being much better at settling himself during the night (he is a thumb sucker, I sometimes give him a dummy if he's really upset, but he often won't take it). I'm just trying to have faith that if he can do it a few times, he will be able to do it more and more (well thats the theory).
To take last night as an example:
6.30pm - fell asleep feeding, popped him in the cot he stirred, stuck his thumb in and went off to sleep
9.00pm - he woke up yelling, gave him a quick feed (tbh think he was still asleep, but was the easiest way to settle him)
Then he didn't wake up again until 5am, which was fab. He cried out at 4ish but before I had time to go in to him he settled down again. After his early morning feed he went back in the cot and then I didn't go in to him again until about 8am. I think he was dozing on and off because I could hear rustlings and chatting, but I don't go in if he's happy.
We moved him into his own room about a month ago, and this co-incided with him having terrible nights, waking crying every 2-3 hrs, would only accept boob, screamed at DH etc. I'm happy to continue bf for at least a while longer, but appreciate that this isn't always poss (I'm not back at work yet). I have friends who have gone back to work at 6 months but kept up with evening and night feeds. DS is also an only child at the mo, so don't have anyone else to worry about during the day.
phew - apologies for the long post... Sounds like you're doing fine with your babe, it will get better, and this time will pass (but you know that already ). Must be tough when you want to spend time with your DD as well.