Seeing as you have previously tried CIO (cry it out) then I would think that your DS will need a gentle approach to help him regain trust that he isn't going to be left again. That, along with the prop of being rocked to sleep is most probably what is causing him to NW and need you so much.
We can come up with a plan though so don't worry!
I would start getting him used to his crib as I sugested above by letting him play in there with you sat next to him in the day for short times. Once he is ok going in there and happy with books/toys you can start tidying in his room, putting washing away, etc so you are not right next to him. Then you can start popping out and coming straight back, then lengthen the time that you are gone.
Then it would be a good idea to get him used to falling asleep on his own and wean the rocking if you are ready for that? This will mean that when your DS wakes in the night between sleep cycles he will be able to resettle himself and not need you to rock him. GW is Gradual Withdrawl and is a gentle sleep training method that works well with toddlers. Basically you start putting DS down in the crib awake but sleepy and you stay right there with him until he falls aslleep. You can rub his back, shushing/soothing him in any way that works, he will cry but you are right there with him so he won't feel abandoned or scared. He will be protesting because you are changing the rules.
Then as DS gets used to this you can start taking your hand away and just sit by the crib and use your voice to calm. Then every couple of days you move further away until you are sitting in the doorway until he falls asleep. Then you can walk out of the door and DS will fall asleep on his own.
What do you think?
