2 yo transitioned to toddler bed and now bedtime is a nightmare
Looking for any kind of advice. We transitioned 2yo to a toddler bed because she was fighting the crib so much, she wanted us to hold her until she fell completely asleep and she would hold on to us super tight so we couldn’t put her down and if we did get her down in the crib she would pop right back up and want to be held. It turned into her co-sleeping with us pretty frequently so we both could get some kind of sleep but it was getting very crowded in the bed (I am currently 26w pregnant). We transitioned her to a toddler bed and at first it was great she would go down after reading books and saying goodnight but now she wants us to stay and cuddle with her until she is completely asleep and then if we are able to sneak out, if she wakes up she freaks out and wants one of us to go back in there and sleep with her. We do a pretty consistent bedtime routine (milk cup, quick bath, brush teeth, read a couple books, lights out by 8/8:30) but after multiple attempts to sneak out the room, the process ends up taking over an hour. We are both exhausted and are sick of sleeping in her bed. She does still take a nap during the day usually 11:30-1pm. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! TIA!
edit: Thank you for everyone’s solid advice. I realize pregnancy hormones have made me weak and I definitely give in way more lately. We are going to try the “chair method” with “excuse me” method tonight, and start from short intervals and go longer and longer. We are going to stand firm on not getting into bed with her at all and attempt to do all comforting from sitting at the side. My husband is going to try to put her down earlier (7:30p) before I get home from work, hoping that will calm down the need for only mama, even tho it will make me pretty sad not to see my baby after a long day, I know it’s probably for the best. Wish us luck!