How my daughter slept through the night by 4 months old!

Routine. Routine. Routine.

That's right, I said it. And I know it's way easier said than done because we also want our children adaptable to change. But when it comes to my sleep, I don't mess around. So when I became a mom I made sure I was persistent from day one on NOT being that mom that doesn't catch up on sleep till her kids are 18!
My daughter did well at cooperating and accepting the routine I set. But by all means every situation is not exactly the same or have the same requirements to succeed. But I'll share what we did that worked.

I made the decision to breast feed my infant on her demand. I figured I was new at this too, she'd know better than I would when she was hungry. Of course till about 3 months old my daughter was waking a couple times throughout the night to breast feed. I never fell asleep with my daughter in my bed because I had too much anxiety about rolling over onto her.
So after feeding during the night she'd lay in a bassinet next to the side of my bed. I used a sound machine with a ceiling projector night light every night. Usually she was in the room with me from 9pm till about 6am.
Around 4 months old we began adding small amounts of grains, fruits and vegetables in to her diet during the day. Also around 4 months old I noticed my daughter, on her own, had stopped waking up during the night for feedings. The first few times I woke up in a panic in the morning when I'd realized my tiny baby slept that long straight!  But once I knew she was ok, I knew I was ok. And I sure as heck wasn't going to complain about the sleep I got! I think it helped that I never once woke my daughter to eat during those first few months. She just sort of learned on her own within that time that we eat and are active during the day, and sleep during the night.
By 6 months old we moved our daughter in to her crib with a baby monitor on her, and said goodbye to the bed side bassinett. This was hard, but at the same time freeing for me. We all adjusted well.
Since she has slept in her crib, we have a bedtime routine of bathing after dinner, brushing teeth and hair, getting on pajamas and reading books until about 9pm. She does use a binky and her favorite blanket to sleep with but those are also que's for her that it is bedtime because she does not get them if she's not about to sleep.
My daughter is now just over 2 years old, and with minor exceptions, she sleeps every night, in her crib, for 8-10 hours. She also still takes a 1-2 hour nap each day. We do not have much of a routine for nap time, but that's because I let her nap only when she is tired. I try to keep her entertained and stimulated when we are awake, and when she begins to get fussy or starts yawning I know it's nap time.
But again, I'd rather not force a nap if we've had a mellow day, and allow her to sleep longer and better at night time when I can also!

As mentioned above, the first 4 months my daughter slept by my side in a bassinet. Although the link below is not the one I had with my first daughter, it is one my friends have loved, has great reviews, and the one I will definitely get for my next baby.

At 2 years old my daughter still loves her sound machine while sleeping, and of course mama can't go without the baby monitor!