pacifier weaning 5 month old

My son starting using a pacifier and he used to sleep wonderfully. He was sleeping 8-9 hours straight for months and then around 4 months he started waking up all night for his pacifier (one week before I went back to work 🙄).

I am going on 6 weeks of getting up every 1-2 hours to put the pacifier into his mouth. I have decided the thing must go but my son gets very upset when he doesn’t have it to fall asleep.

First night I tried to put him to bed without it he screamed for 10 mins, I tried to calm him anyway possible but he cried for another 45 mins until I gave in. We are trying no pacifier today as well and he is doing the same thing during naps. (Really hasn’t napped at all today). I haven’t given in yet because he has calmed down but I’m worried about tonight.

Anyone go through this? How long did it take before your baby didn’t want the pacifier anymore? How long should i let him cry? How did you calm your baby down? Any and all suggestions are sincerely appreciated.