hi Vanessa, congratulations on the birth of your little Hayley. When Yasin was born all the midwifes,family, antenatal teacher etc said you can't let him nurse to sleep, he has to have a feed, play sleep routine. Only one midwife who had 4 children herself said that she had nursed her babies to sleep and I if wanted too that I shouldn't feel bad about it.
So when Yasin was a newborn I nursed him to sleep and after a few weeks gradually changed to a feed, play sleep routine.
We have had a few problems with sleep but no more than some people who have been strict about the 'right' routine since day one. Now that I look back a tiny bit of me is sad that I didn't let him nurse to sleep for longer because I really enjoyed those special moments of holding my contented sleeping little baby. I geuss that the important thing is that he doesn't end up sleeping only when he is nursed to sleep so maybe you should start trying one or two sleeps a day using other methods. You can try a few things other than the bottom patting such as rocking her bassinet, or putting her in a pram in pushing it back and forth.
I still nurse him to sleep at night sometimes because I think he will sleep longer on a full stomach and during most of his midnight feeds he falls asleep and I put him down asleep which is great because it saves me from settling him when I would rather be sleeping myself.
HTH
I hope we'll see you chatting in the 1-6 months forum soon. The 0-1 month forum is a bit quiet so don't be shy to pop into the 1-6 month forum.
btw welcome to bellybelly