Fighting Sleep

Why do babies fight their sleep?

Brody can be really happy all day and the only time he gets cranky is when he is tired and he will moan and gurn for ages. Sometimes this can last for up to an hour and I try to recognise when he is tired, he usually starts rubbing his eyes and moaning. I will give him his little teddy that he likes to suck on and he will rub this against his face, when trying to go to sleep. But sometimes he will continue to fight it and no amount of cuddling or rocking will help. I had a look on the Internet and there is info about trying to get your little one into the same routine of taking naps during the day. I have tried this and have put him in his crib during the day if we are not out in the pram or car and he will eventually go to sleep after a wee gurn and moan. But this morning for example he has been up since 5.30 am and wouldn't go back to sleep ( which I think well fair enough since he has slept from 8pm) but after 30 minutes downstairs he is moaning and gurning and restless. Nearly two hours later and I have given him cuddles, his teddy , had him in his bouncy chair, lying on the floor, tried teething gel, some Ashton & Parsons powder, some classical musical lol and he is still gurning and moaning away. Now we are sitting together watching Mickey Mouse clubhouse through his gurning and moaning which has become quieter and he has finally begun to settle and sleep at long last!!!!
Think I will now make a cuppa and do some Internet searching about this and see if I can find out any tips to help. No point carrying on watching Mickey's clubhouse although the song at the end is really catchy- "hot dog hot dog hot diggery dog " :)
Any suggestions or comments would be really appreciated thanks