Fighting sleep, EW and NW in 17 month twins

[4isstillnighttime]

Hi everyone

Firstly, thanks again for all the help I have received with my rotten twins. We got to a really good place...but with lots of sickness and upheaval it has all gone a little bit wrong and I'd be grateful for some advice.

Currently they wake up at 5:30-6, get up at 6.
Nap is supposed to be 12:30-2:30 but they sometimes take AGES to settle, then I let them sleep til 3.
Bedtime is 7 - can't be any earlier due to my work.

Now, my childminder takes other kids to school so they often have 10 mins nap in the buggy on the way home - about 9. I think that might have been throwing things off so over the holidays I want to get them out of that habit. Should I move the nap a bit earlier to compensate?

Also, they are waking earlier and earlier in the mornings. 6 I can cope with, but it's been as early as 5 recently and they won't go back to sleep.

My little boy is having NWs but I think maybe that is because his schedule is all over the place and he isn't quite tired enough at night.

Finally, they are taking AGES to go to sleep and I am having to stay in the room with them. My little girl in particular is going absolutely ballistic unless I hold her hand until she is asleep. She is super clingy in the day as well so I have been a bit reluctant to sleep train her again as I am hoping it's a phase that will pass....but if she was a bit tireder at BT maybe it wouldn't take so long....

Please can someone suggest a good EASY that will have them good and tired for all of their sleeps?!

Thanks!!

[MasynSpencerElliotte]

Dyt they might be a bit ut and need the nap capped a wee bit? Also could be 18 months sleep regression come a bit early along with SA for your DD. DD3 is 16 months and lower sleep needs but no way. 4 hr A after a nap would be long enough.

[4isstillnighttime]

Is there an 18 month sleep regression?!?!? Oh no!!!! 

I think the afternoon is too short and would like them to go down for their nap earlier, but they just don't seem to. But I think I haven't been v consistent with it, need to pick a time and stick to it. But am also frightened of reinforcing their EMW if I move it earlier - is that still a problem if it's just one nap? How about if I aimed for 12-2 - that gives 6 hours A in the morning and 5 in the afternoon. Then after a week of that if no better try capping at 1:30? Is this sensible?!?!

DD def has SA and has had for ages. She basically wants to be cuddled the whole time!!

[MasynSpencerElliotte]

Not all kids have a regression...DD1 & DD2 didn't that I remember. I think your plan is a good one to try for a while and see if it helps and perhaps do some gw with DD so you don't end up being a prop long term. Tbh I am not sure about the ew when on one nap...a noon nap was never an issue for us.

[KookyK]

My 16 month old needs 5-5.5 hours between nap and bedtime if that helps - so agree with MSE.  Also a 10 min catnap would lead to issues getting a good proper second nap here too. Can the child minder give them a snack or toy or sing loud songs to keep them awake?!