Getting toddler to sleep

We transitioned my three year old to a toddler bed. The first couple of weeks were fine. Now he is really testing us. We do our regular bedtime routine but when we put him into the need he gets right out and for the next two or so hours a power struggle ensues. We have tried many things. What has worked for you? Please help. My husband and I can't keep spending the whole night in and out of his room. I have another baby due in a month.

Getting toddler to sleep

We put a gate in front of the door and make sure he can't turn on his lights (he can turn the switch, but I click the light off from the ceiling - his light is a ceiling fixture). He goes to bed with a blanket and bear on him and his soother on. We make sure that all the lights in the hall are off so that if he opens his door, he's not seeing anything. If he gets out of bed, we take the soother away. He can't sleep without it. He gets his bear and blanket taken away next. He can earn each item back by staying in bed. It took about a week for him to get it. There were a few times at nap time that we took his soother and bear and blanket and he kept getting out- we let him sleep a few times without being able to earn them back. He cried a lot... But eventually he fell asleep. It's very tough! DS1 is 2.5 and started climbing out, so we had to take the front off the bed. He doesn't go right to sleep some nights, but at least he stays in bed now.