Esme does this sometimes. If she isn't crying i leave her to it (she gets a nap in the day if she'd tired but bedtime is bedtime no matter what so by 8pm she'd in her cot) and go in once she's asleep to tuck her in again. We have had the same bedtime routine since she was 5 weeks old. Bath, cuddle/feed (she used to be BF but now has cows milk from a cup), with a few calm songs, lullaby's or downbeat pop songs (she likes it when i sing Mad World!) brush teeth (didn't start that at 5 wks obviously ) tucked in, story, lights out. I stick to this routine like glue whether she's half-asleep drinking her milk or still bouncing up and down when i put the light out. If she cries i go in, cuddle and re-settle her and leave again, i barely speak to her, just "it's bedtime esme" firmly and "night night" with a kiss.

I often have to go once she'd nodded off to re-orient her as she falls asleep in wierd positions with no blankets on her etc. but so far (knocks on wood) it seems to work ok.

HTH

hana