20 mth toddler playing up at bedtime, twins coming in 4 days - HELP!!!

[mum2william]

I'm not sure if I'm posting in the right place here, but could really do with some advice.

About 2 months ago I moved our then 18mth DS into a big bed (std sgl) to free up the cot for one of the twins. We've always had a really strong bedtime routine and though not particularly quick at sleeping through initially, he has always gone down very well. He was great in the big bed to until about a week ago, now, after story instead of lying down and going to sleep he messes around, giggling, flapping his legs about etc etc.

I've tried just leaving him, but he gets up and plays with toys/books in his room. If he comes out I simply go back up and put him back in bed tell him it's sleep time and leave closing the door - this has now become a game to him.

I wondered if it's something to do with his day sleeps but his nap (in the morning) is rarely more than an hour and he's always up in the morning around 6.30.

I'm 37+1 weeks with id twins and am due to be induced in 3 days. I'm exhausted but otherwise well, but now I'm getting panicky about having to deal with the twins and DS.

Any advice at all gratefully received!!!!

ds1 did this. he was fine in a bed for ages and then suddenly had a huge regression.

tbh I just left him to it. as long as he was quiet in his room I left him there. if he came out I gav ehim a cuddle and popped him back
he grew out of it eventually

will add, this was after a night of doing rapid return for over 2 hours. I caved and just thought sod it, if he isn't tired he isn't tired.

That's good to hear, i think he's asleep now (went to bed at 7!) feel really guilty about getting cross with him when it's me that's exhausted and could do with going to bed at 7!!

Does anyone know how much sleep toddlers should have? or have on average? Is it possible that he just doesn't need that much sleep. When do they drop the day nap? I'm not looking forward to that, it's the only time in the day when I get some respite!!!!

my dd is 21 months, she sleeps from 9pm til 6am and has 2hrs in the day. i would love her to go to bed earlier.