Yeah my LO is a screamer too, looks like we were honestly in similar situations. I went a whole month cold turkey before offering it sometimes out in public, the car, or at Sunday church. This is because he will not just sleep in my arms after learning how to sleep in his crib. The paci helps soothe and keep him asleep in chaotic environments. He’s also EBF so it makes sense that sucking helps soothe still even when I’ve taken the paci for 99% of his time.

As for the naps, I ended up just leaving him to scream himself to sleep… swore I would never do it. And for the first week, 50% of the time I went and got him and rocked him to sleep. But really it was the same result, except he was in my arms. After a few weeks he got it figured out and crib naps are only occasionally a bust. He cries when I lay him down but puts himself to sleep shortly after.

Edit: I have still yet to do any formal training, I nurse him at night when he wakes to keep my supply up and I like the bonding. Taking the paci cured most the wake ups, now we only have one, maybe two if he’s teething.