When I put my DS down for naps and night sleep I usually bounce him around the room since there is not a rocker in his room (shades closed, mostly dark). It usually takes about 5 minutes and his eyes start to close-- when they close for about 30 seconds or so I lay him down. They'll usually flutter back open when I lay him down, but then he's out.
I was thinking that I was putting him to sleep awake, but drowsy... now I'm kind of thinking maybe I'm basically putting him to sleep, asleep.
How awake is your DC when you put him down?