Mother of a 1 year old needs sleep! LOL?

I thought by now the sleepless nights would have ended. My one year old does not stay asleep at night! He's pretty good getting to sleep, but he wakes at least 3x in the night, just crying. Won't take a drink, diaper not dirty. I give teething tablets on occassion. He can usually be sssshhhhh'd to sleep but just won't stay asleep. I try not to run in immediately when he starts to cry either. I've tried the whole cry-it-out method and thats not for me after a few times of trying. He gets himself so upset if left for that long....crying so hard to where he's choking and gagging. My doc said she doesn't even believe in that method, I feel it gives them a sense of abandonment. He usually wakes up for good around 6 or 7am. That would be ok if he just stayed asleep all night. He gets 1-2 naps in the day, about 1-2 hrs each. I've even tried giving one early nap and keeping him up the rest of the day thinking that would help, but it didn't. Any suggestions? (please no cry it out suggestions) I sometimes end up putting him in bed with me when it just gets out of hand. Yes, he has a nightlight, a talking bear with my voice, another bear that sings songs, a mobile, and radio.