 [ Symptoms ] how can i get my baby to sleep through the night [ Disease ] this method works best with young babies ideally less than a year old these tricks alone probably will not work in older kids without some modifications you can start these sleep training ideas at any time if getting a solid night is sleep is a priority the younger you start training the better first baby has to get enough calories during the day nurse frequently at least every 2 3 hours by day and start solid complementary foods at 4 6 months earlier is not better as babies get to 3 4 months of age they will be able to go longer between day feedings do not let them stretch out the day feeds until the night is one solid block of sleep second you must back off on reacting to every little noise babies make as they sleep you will stir a bit baby will fuss a bit and you are both wide awake that is a habit that needs to stop as soon as you feel comfortable move your baby to his or her own room so you do not keep waking each other up if baby wakes and makes a little noise do not rush in immediately take your time at least sometimes baby will put herself back to sleep without your going to see her give her a chance to soothe herself before rushing to tend to her third and this is the hardest part for many families baby must learn to fall asleep all alone if you are holding rocking or feeding a baby while he falls asleep and then sneak away the baby — guaranteed — will wake up again later that night and need you to come back good rules of thumb by two months of age you should sometimes be putting your baby down when awake by four months of age you should usually be putting your baby down awake by six months of age always put your baby down while awake some babies will make this easy essentially sleep training themselves other babies will fight sleep and make this a more difficult transition exactly when to sleep train is a personal decision depending on the parents plans and priorities