I did all of what you said up until about 6 mths.

I then moved to a 'patting' way of comforting DD to get her to sleep. I would lie her down but be sort of cuddling her and have my face right near her head saying 'shhhh sleepy time now' and patting her back. I would gradually move my bod away from hers but keep patting her back. When I thought she was settling and in that 'zone' I would slow my patting and make it lighter and lighter until my mhand was on her back but not patting, then I would walk out. She rewuired less and less patting as weeks went on and then se just started to self settle.

She has a dummy as well which I think helps her to self settle.

I have to say I have a really great sleeper now. If however she is having a bad night I will try and comfort her by giving her a bottle or rocking her but half the time she fights me and deosnt want me to be holding her tightly rocking her.