How to get 15 month old to put self to sleep?

[poorlybaby]

My LO has been held to sleep (not rocked) since 9 months old (he got quite poorly for a little while which is how we ended up in this state!)

He's fine now, but is so used to a book, bottle and then falling asleep on me, then I take him up and put him in his cot and he sleeps all night.

But I want him to learn how to put himself to sleep in the cot, but how?! Where to start? If I put him down drowsy/awake he will just stand up and scream!

I don't want to do cry it out, so what options do I have please?

DS is nearly 15 months and it’s taken us about 4-5 months to get to this point.

Initially I’d cuddle him and do a three eye close count - once he’d got to a point where he was closing his eyes three times, I’d move him to the cot & keep my hand on him until he fell asleep. We would fairly often have to take him out for another cuddle & three count until he’d actually fall asleep in the cot.

Then once he was used to that, we’d do it for a two count and a one count. Now he will have a cuddle and then point & grunt at his cot when he’s ready to get in. I still sit next to him, but he tends to fall asleep between 5-15 mins of being put in the cot, lying there quietly until he does.