we started a modified CC technique when our DS was 7 months old. he was a horrendous sleeper up until then. our technique was to have a set bedtime routine (dinner, bath, reading time, then into bed awake - with my DH to do the reading and into bed). then if he cried (must be a proper, continued cry - not just grizzling), then we would go in after 2 minutes. then the routine would be 2/4/6/8/10/10/10 until he fell asleep.

it took 45mins the first night, then 35 the next, then 23, then 15, then about 10mins or thereabouts after that. it got to a point where he didnt cry at all, and he's been like that for months (he's 14mths now). also, like you, the number of night time wake-ups reduced dramatically - going from every 2 hours, to just once overnight (now none). we couldnt believe how well it worked, after trying EVERYTHING, and i mean everything.

we did exactly the same routine for his day sleeps (without the dinner and bath bit of course!). and it worked a treat too. he sleeps about 2-3 hours each day.

(i am touching wood while i write all of this because i dont want my bubble to burst!)

i have read that the best/crucial time for babies to learn sleep routines is 7-9 months of age. i know mothers who have tried this routine at an older age have had more difficulties.

all i can say is - good luck. if you have no other option (ie, rocking, cosleeping etc just doesnt work), then i say persist. the thing i liked about this routine was that it was a "plan of attack".... instead of being at wits end every night, trying 1000 things to get DS to sleep, it was a simple step-by-step plan of what to do.

and i know the crying is horrible, but when we were doing the numerous other ways to get him to sleep, he would be crying then too.....

GOOD LUCK