How to re-settle older babies?

[Liam and Shane's Mommy]

When my 7 mos. old wakes 30 min into nap or at night I go in and rub his back and he sometimes goes back to sleep.  But am I creating a prop if I keep doing it until he's asleep?   Sometimes he'll jolt awake after just falling asleep and gets quite disoriented and cries.  I think he's surprised to see me there and might wonder if I came in to wake him up.  Should I just do it until he's calm and then leave?

Picking him up doesn't seem to work as it just appears to reinforce the crying and he just cries more when I put him down.

[Johno & Aurelias Mum]

Yes, if you don't want it to be a prop.  Calm him and then leave.

By the way, can he get off to sleep OK without you?

[Liam and Shane's Mommy]

Yes, he goes to sleep on his own with very little problem and he's wide awake.