When babies are learning to sleep independently, we have to help them all the way to sleep (and same goes for nap extensions). As he starts to fall asleep more independently, and as his body gets more used to falling back to sleep when he wakes early from a nap, he SHOULD eventually start making the transition by himself. When you're shush-patting, always have in mind the final goal which is independent sleep. So you can make it a first goal to stop shush-ing before he is fast asleep. Then to stop patting before he is fast asleep. Then to only shushing if he is crying. Then to only pat if he is crying. Then to have your hand off him once he is calm. Then to be out of the room before he is asleep.
The day WILL come when you will lay a happy baby down in his cot, thinking 'this baby is surely never going to sleep!' You will kiss him goodnight, walk out the room, wait for the cry - and realise he has put himself to sleep.
