Hoody has given you the exact advice that I got from a nurse at a sleep school today and that is to rock and have cuddles until she is quiet but still awake, then put her down with a few pats and a firm - 'have a nap now" or something like that and walk out. If she cries go back in and repeat this until she falls asleep - which may be up to 45 mns I guess. Izzy is 5 1/2 mths and I am rocking/feeding her to sleep for most sleeps (hence we are going to sleep school) so I will be trying this technique - plus patting, which I have been doing. Good luck - I know its hard.