‘Calm down time’ before bed - is this even possible?

[Willow4987]

My 18 month DS goes to bed at 7 but at the moment he’s taking roughly 40 mins after milk/story to actually calm down and go to sleep

I think this is because he’s too wired before he goes to bed.

I’ve read they need up to an hour chill out time before bed but how do you implement this? What do you do?

He’s just so excitable, running around laughing constantly. He has at least a 2 hour nap in the day so isn’t over tired. He just find everything so fun!!

I'd be very interested in hearing responses to this as have the same problem with my 2 year old DS !

It's difficult to do and I've in no way solved this (DS is 3) generally find more structure helps and more involvement from us. Like duplo building or lines, something where DS has to use his brain tends to slow him down. Even if he's not in the mood for building, he likes finding the red brick, wheels etc.. then we go into the bath for a bit, then cuddles, pjs, stories, bed. When reading the story he likes to point things out we ask him to.. this also helps to settle him as some nights he wants to run around and be a bit cheeky.

My 23 month old goes to bed at 7 but then plays with his teddies, rolls round the cot etc for a good 30 mins to 1 hour before going to sleep. But he's happy and calm so we leave him to it.
We read books, have a bath, play with toys in bedroom before bed for the hour before 7