How long do yours take to get to sleep?

[BigBoPeep]

DD (14mo) has always been a good sleeper provided things are done her way. At first this meant being attached to my person at all times - we coslept and fed whenever and it worked really well, all got plenty of sleep. She would drift off on the sofa during the evening when she felt like it, and we'd take her to bed with us when we went.

At around 1yr, she self weaned which really surprised me as she was a typical "boob monster". I did nothing to encourage it, but didn't fight it either. She eats really well, lots of different solids and plenty of cow's milk. A cuddle at bedtime seemed to do the trick and she'd pretty much sleep all night and 'self settle' if she did wake.

Now all of a sudden - demonbaby. HATES bedtime, screams if you even take her into the bedroom for a nappy change. Even though I don't force her into bed at a particular time and have never made a big deal of it. She can be falling asleep in her high chair, but wakes up for a screamfest if transferred. Will no longer settle down on sofa - has to be clambering about if she's not in bed. Getting to sleep takes at least an hour of just plain fussing. Cuddling and kissing, but also pinching, punching, kicking, biting, wriggling, clambering, smacking etc. I'm mystified as to why she likes to inflict pain on me! I ignore her as best I can, make myself boring, pretend to be going off to sleep, give cuddles and kisses when needed, but nothing works. If she crawls off I'll wordlessly pick her up and firmly place her back down, but she just laughs.

Today she missed her usual 2hr afternoon nap (her choice) and it seems to have made things even worse, she was absolute hell til half nine when she had no choice but to pass out on the sofa! I don't think she is ill or teething, she can be normal and happy all day, but just fights sleep with all her being all of a sudden? Once she's off, she's off for good, but it's just getting there...

Is this normal? I'm considering getting a cot and letting her cry it out. sort of. I couldn't bring myself to completely ignore her, but at least it would limit her options for self harm/mischief during this phase?

My 2 year old takes a good hour to sleep asleep unless she hasn't napped but this seems crucial to her wind down.

Do you have a wind down routine? Say bath, milk, books, teeth & then bed? I would get a cot and sit with her until she falls asleep eventually doing a gradual withdrawal type thing and then you can let her mess about in her cot safely. If she wakes in the night its up to you what you do but I think she probably needs her own quiet space now she is older to help her sleep before she gets over tired. HTH.

DS (12mth) used to always fall asleep on the bottle, past 3 wks now, not a chance. He's a total nightmare, no idea how to resolve so I'm just hoping it settles down again. Plus he still wakes up at half sodden 5 regardless. No advice but I feel your pain OP :)