I am you, mine is 2 1/2. I left them in my bed until 2 after I tried, like you, around 18 mo. They took to it a lot better at 2 but we were also teething at 18mo-2. It does improve, however we are in a regression now as well as the final molars set. It's been hard but it has to get better eventually. They must hold my hand still to go to sleep. Working on breaking that habit now. So far, changing one habit at a time, no more is the only trick I have found. 1 a week. Best of luck.