Hi Deb,
I'm on Day 3 of EASY for my baby, to help him nap on his own, and have made good progress breaking the nurse-to-sleep habit for the most part. However, I do still nurse him to console him if needed, and I think it will work:
The first day was horrible, and I was learning on the fly -- trying to get him to sleep, then checking these posts for info in between and re-reading Tracy's sleep interview, literally. He slept for 4 naps, 2 were 45 minutes, 2 were 25 minutes. And there was way "too much" crying for my stomach and heart.
I decided that hysterical crying was not OK for us, and things got better on Day 2. I simply end the "sessions" when he gets to the inconsolable point. I was able to get him down for both a morning and afternoon nap with ssh/pat (he cannot tollerate pu/pd) and no inconsolable tears.
Today, Day 3, he took 2 naps, each for over an hour. I was able to settle him with shh/pat but then able to stop altogether -- including removing my hand -- before he fell all the way asleep! He settled himself the rest of the way.
And if he screams inconsolably? I take him out of the crib and bring him downstairs. Depending on what he needs at the time, I have either just ended the nap and moved to quiet awake time, or nursed him downstairs to soothe him. I have done this 3 times, and I don't think it's causing any regression. The two times I nursed him, I then had to walk upstairs -- and made sure he woke a bit in the meantime -- to put him into bed, still requiring that he settle himself.
So long story long: based on my limited experience, I would suggest going ahead and nursing him when he just can't console himself... but 1) do it outside of his room, and 2) wake him up a bit before placing him in his crib.
Good luck!! (to all of us :wink: )
Ann