Most babies learn quickly and begin to drift to sleep without much fussing or protesting. But a few can be stubborn. Older babies who are habituated to being nursed or patted to sleep will take some time to grow out of their habits. In such cases, make it a gradual process.
It is better to follow your instincts instead of doing something you feel will not work or can be detrimental to your baby. Observe your baby and follow simple techniques that could work for both of you. No one method works for every newborn.