Heavenly i tend to have had a similar situation like you. After a couple of months DS1 was sleeping through. Not to say that we didn't have our off nights of course. But after a while when he did wake but shouldn't really want to be fed and nothing else was wrong the health nurse said to offer some water, a hug but let them know that it really is sleep time. Not sure if you'd say that staying with them and patting (i mostly did it without him seeing me) until he drifted off to sleep a form of cc but it worked really well for us. I never let him really cry without knowing that i was there by my touch. You can encourage them to sleep without cc but it still could be just as difficult, it probably depends on the child.

I also would say if you are happy with the way your little man is going just stick with it. What works for you guys is most important.