hi panda, i breastfeed my 8 month old to sleep for every sleep too (unless he falls asleep in the car or sling). it's perfectly natural and fine, so don't feel bad or embarrased about it. i fed my 2yo to sleep for pretty much every sleep until he was 14months old and he decided he didn't need it anymore.
anyway, back to my 8 month old. like i said, i bfeed him to sleep all the time, but if i'm busy with my toddler or having a shower or something, my dh will wrap him up in his favourite blanket and rock him to sleep in the rocking chair and usually get him to sleep this way without any crying. have you tried getting your dh to put him to sleep?