time

Well it's been one week of letting him cry it out. It started out at 45 mins went to 30 mins for a few nights, hit 25 mins one night, but went back to 60mins the next. I would have expected better improvement after one week. How long is this supposed to take? I will say he sleeps much better at night this way, whether it's because he's so worn out from crying or because he's learning to put himself back to sleep I can't say. Last night and tonight he finally went to sleep after I went back in there (after 45min of crying), held him till he calmed down, placed him back in crib with my hand next to his face until he drifted back off. He kept opening his eyes to make sure I was there.
The last two days he has changed his napping habit as well. It's taking more work to get him down for his nap, but instead of 3-4 one hour naps it's 2-3 naps with the first one lasting at least 2 hours.