5 month old rocked to sleep at bedtime

QUESTION:
I have a 5month old baby boy. He's only on formula at the moment and will be starting solid foods next month. He sleeps well at night only waking up once in the early hours of the morning for a feed. My problem is i need to get him out of the habit of being rocked to sleep, ive started by now putting him down when he is just about to fall asleep. He will not suck a dummy and only somtimes uses his teddy for comfort. How do i teach him to self sooth and fall asleep by himself without the screaming and crying. Please help as im sure once he's learnt that skill we will be a happier family.
Ps. when he wakes at night he goes back to sleep by himself only wants to be rocked when i put him down for the night

ANSWER:

For a little 5 month old who is not yet on solids and is rocked to sleep at bedtime, your baby is sleeping very well - with only one night waking. But now is the time to sort out the rocking before habits develop. Firstly i would start solids now, 5 months old is appropriate for solids. Then i would look at his day sleeps. He must not be asleep after 4pm otherwise he wont settle easily in the evening. At 4pm wake him from his late afternoon sleep, even if he has only had a 15 minute nap. Dinner and bath between 5 and 6:30 and then into his calm nursery. I would do a little baby massage after bath and not leave the nursery between bath and bed. The starts the rock to drowsy - NOT rock to sleep. Once he is drowsy, put him down awake. If he moans leave him. If he cries, sit with him shshshing him gently. If he is very upset, lift him, sooth him and then start over again. Persist with the teddy because he does need some form of soother if he does not take a dummy.