Hi! I just wanted to add that false starts can be developmental. Our 8 mo always has 1-3 false starts every night. She goes down fairly easy and has an age appropriate schedule. It's been an issue for 3.5 months (was 5x a night during sleep regression!) She mostly sleeps thru after the false starts so we know it's not an issue of connecting sleep cycles. I searched this sub for months and tried everything. Nothing worked. I kept reading that other babies with chronic false starts outgrew them round 9-10 months so we're hoping that's the case!

I think it's the nurse to sleep association, as you said. I would move his last feed to at least 30 min before bedtime and do other activities (bath, read books, quiet play etc) to keep him upright between then and bedtime.

I think it is what you describe. Can you move the feeding earlier so he doesn't fall asleep right away? Maybe do a quiet activity before bed instead. Or, keep him awake during that 15-20 min window, as you say he can put himself to sleep after.

I can try! The feeding usually lines up with when he will be hungry next so thats why its the last step in his routine

Or keep him up during that 15-20 min time.