Co-sleeping: convincing 18m old it's not playtime

[fusili]

DD has been with us since she was born and always settled fairly well, at about 6.30/7 pm. Last couple of weeks, though, she just keeps herself awake, thinks it's HILARIOUS to bounce about, laugh, take off her pjs, burrows under the duvet, etc. She conks out at about 8.30/9.00. She does need to go to sleep earlier, I'm sure, since she wakes at 5.30, but I don't know how to get her to settle. Hoping to move her into a bed next to ours in the new year. TIA.

Hi my Ds1 went through this too its jus testing the boundries really Isnt it, if he hopped around and tossed like a mad thing and started laughing etc i just didnt Make eye contact didnt engage and firmly said ''sssh sleep time sssh'' and he soon got bored... But it took an hr to get him to sleep for a long time... I found tellin him before lights out how ''now its sleepy time and the sun has gone to bed and the moon is in the sky and all the twinkley stars and all the boys and girls are in their beds and all the mama's and papa's and all the animals (naming a good few, bird nest, cow field etc...) And now we are going to our bed to sleep too'' it really helped me... Hth

Why not just do the move to her own bed now, if you are planning to do it in the new year anyway? Maybe she is ready for her own space?

Ds1 was desperate for his own bed at 14 months. He was much happier in his own little nest. I think some childen do reach a stage where they are easily disturbed.

dd was in with us till 26 months. I breast fed till 22 and she would sleep after feeds so when she woke early i'd feed her and she'd go back to sleep. when i stopped brestfeeding I found it best to put her down with out body contact. I read to her while sitting on the floor. This gave us some boundries.

Try puttting DD earlier. remember they only need 12-13 hrs sleep a day. if she i getting a nap in the day then this counts.

The bed time routine does help and being firm is important. She is old enough to manipulate now so knows it is effecting you. she is not being bad but smart. you are smarter than she is

Thanks, this all really helps. I was breastfeeding until five weeks ago, and she sleeps much better, actually, without feeding at night than with. So we've established a plan, with your help, and will stick with that. As you say, she knows already that this is having an effect, so we have to take command! Thanks.