CIO problem

We started a modified CIO the last three weeks. Bedtime routine: 30 min wind down, dark room, white noise, etc. he’s definitely getting better at falling asleep on his own but still wakes up every 1-2 hours. Nothing I’ve read mentions this problem! We pretty much comfort without picking him up- sometimes Lying him back down and letting him pet our hand(sometime he falls right back asleep once we lay him back down). Like is this just a phase? We have a scheduled wellness apt and are going to ask but dang!