A question about bedtimes

[Mashi]

This is going to sound very daft and very Baby 101 so do forgive me.  But, tell me if my logic is correct on this one -

Will an exact bedtime every night lead to a "set" wakeup time every morning? And, if so, will that *possibly* help me get past the short naps during the day?   

We currently tend to adjust bedtime depending on the nap situation as it has played out during the day, which means bedtime can be anywhere from 6:30 - 7:15 on any given night.  What we have been trying to do is "enforce" (ha) a "set" wakeup time and hoping that will result in everything sorting itself out. But, it hasn't.  Instead, a few days ago I gave in and started getting up at 6am with DS instead of trying to get him to sleep until 7.   It hasn't really helped to sort out naps but what I did notice were more consistent "tired times" for naps.  Still only getting 30 - 45 minutes at nap time though, but at least he does seem tired at the same time every day.

So I'm wondering if I stick to a set bedtime (asleep by 6pm) that will mean a wakeup of 6am, and then eventually naps may follow?

Or have I lost the plot?!

[Colin Macs Mom]

You have not lost the plot at all - however, that's all assuming that your LO is the textbook sort

[RyansMum]

Ryans bedtime has always been set at the same time and he does not wake up at the same time every morning.

[Fiona (Leah & Kians Mom)]

I would go with a set bedtime and adjust nap time accordingly. Nap times will vary enormously over the coming months but hopefully bedtime will stay the same for a while or at least until you get in a set routine. Bedtime has always been set here, even with EW, which went on for a verrrrry long time.

[debo620]

hmm, I really think this depends on your little one...

if your babe is consistantly wakeing at 6---I would probably compromise and make 6:30am your ideal wake time and aim for a 6:30 bedtime...

tbh...I try to never have my LO awake for more then 3hrs...so on the ideal day his nap ends at 4pm--and bed for 7...but if the nap ends 3:30--then I DO NOT keep him up til 7 because he does not do well with OT at bed which leads to multiple NW all evening long (no thankyou to that).