pu/pd never worked for us, but we did just gradually change, so at first we were rocking to sleep, then standing, swaying back and forth right next to the crib, then put in crib while still awake but with us patting or rubbing her back (you would probably have to pick him up a lot in the beginning to keep him from crying), and then slowly decreasing the length of time that I rubbed until I could leave with her stil awake (it took months :? ). And I found that it was always easier to start new things at naps--then you have naptime and bedtime to try it out before the middle of the night--maybe you'll get lucky and not have to deal with the late night wake-ups.
Can you get your MIL earplugs?
~Kim
