Self Soothing for One Month Old?

[mstdenis]

Are there any techniques that can be used in place of pacifier use to get a one month old to sleep.  Can they self sooth at this age?  If so, how can I facilitate that?  My daughter doesn't keep the pacifier in her mouth long enough to go into sleep.  It's a vicious circle and we have to keep going into her room to put the pacifier back in.

Help!

[GG]

Do you swaddle her?  Have you tried letting her suck on her hands?  Although most babies aren't able to find their fingers at her age, some do.  If you normally swaddle her, leave 1 hand out (or try the Aussie swaddle) to see if she will attempt to soothe by putting her thumb in her mouth.

You should only be using the pacifier before she falls asleep, so that she can get all that extra energy/frustration out in sucking.  If she is whining while falling asleep, let her whine a little.  If she is all out crying, use pat/shhh to calm her.  That is the technique that should be used for a 1-month old.