manipulating?! yeah cause a baby can think about these things in depth.
the smelling the milk, is a common theory and I can see how it works but not 100% sold.
you could try moving the hammock alittle further away each night, that way it won't upset baby, suddenly cent smell mummy.

why do we keep being told to put baby in their own room? haven't heard a solid real reason yet. its not natural in my book to have young babys far away. kids move into their own room when they want to (and sometimes a nudge here and there helps) but a baby?
nah, trust ur instincts hun ur going a great job