Sleep regression or something else

So my precious 9 mos old has started having these dots at night. He wakes up a few hours after he gets put down and I go to nurse like I normally do( he’s small for his age so doc has said feeding is still ok ) but once he’s back asleep if I love him or try to lay him down he starts wailing 😭 the last there’s nights have seen me holding him almost all night like I used to when he was a new born. I’ve checked for diaper issues, fevers nothing. Just some nasal congestion - any ideas?

FYI we do not cry it out he basically has sleep trained himself as far as the crib goes and most nights is in bed 5-6 hours straight He never had a very early bed time and naps poorly in daycare but great on weekends