Gentle Sleep Training - warning, a little long

Hi mama's! I am looking for some advice on gentle sleep training. The only method that is super detailed I can find on the internet is CIO or extinction methods and those are just simply not working and I won't try them again. I am looking for advice from mama's who tried gentler methods, no tears, fewer tears, fading, whatever it may be. My little one is 9 months old, EBF, and has bedshared (le gasp!) for several months. He has been indicating a want for his own space when sleeping (pushing or kicking until I am out of his way) and doesn't nurse to sleep anymore, though he does wake once or twice to eat still. We have a routine and a good schedule he's been on for several months with no problem. However, whenever I put him down in his crib, he wakes more frequently. Any tips on helping him sleep in his crib?