TV question

[alison]

Do you let your babies watch tv?

When dd was in OT for her feeding issues, the therapist suggested letting dd watch tv during feedings to distract her from the fact that she was drinking from a bottle (back when bottles were evil). I still let dd do this when she gets her morning juice out of a sippy cup, even though she doesn't need the tv anymore. She sits in my lap and we watch 10-15 minutes of news. I have started feeling guilty about this, because I can see how mesmerized she is by the images, and if I as much as set her down in front of the tv, she sort of expects it to turn on...

I have let her watch some Baby Einstein that I find on youtube, but that stuff is turning my brain to mush.

Do you let your babies watch tv? And if so, what do you allow and how much? Should I feel guilty about this?

[Pollyanna]

If baby would watch TV I'd let her watch, no guilt. Seriously, I have tried everything to get her to watch SOMETHING, the darn girl just wants to read. Sure that sounds all well and good but I can get NOTHING done. 45 minute nap, when she is awake she wants to read or empty every cabinet we have or play outside. All good things but what I would not do for an hour of TV time in the morning and evening. Who am I kidding, she is my fifth, I'd take way more than an hour.

Um, sorry for the hijack, to your original question you should NOT feel guilty.

[DCJenn]

No but I was combatting a year of insitutionalization. Now though, yes. Spongebob is my friend.

Jenn

[Chrisada]

My 13-month-old is not interested in TV, but I'm pretty sure Richard was watching Baby Einstein when he was an infant. And he is seriously the smartest three-year-old you will ever meet who still loves to read and play outside. He also watches a kid show to get to sleep... in his room. Yes, there is a TV in his room for DVD's at night. No guilt over here.

[Michele]

Re: TV question

The TV is on all day long at my house. They go back and forth between watching and playing.


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[migirl]

At that age I don't think my oldest was watching TV, but my youngest started watching waaaaaaaaay earlier than I let his big brother. Now they watch 30 minutes in the morning so I can shower and get dressed, and 30 minutes to an hour in the evening while I'm getting dinner on the table. They spend plenty of time reading books, playing outside, interacting with me and other kids ... I don't worry about it too much anymore. They've actually also learned a lot from TV (they both learned their entire alphabet with the help of Sesame Street!).

[Ladybug]

I think that 10-15 minutes, even 30 is fine. You know you've crossed the line when you leave the cartoon network on all day long. Which I've done when I'm sick. Don't sweat it. I think it's commendable that you're still watching the news. Pretty soon you'll only know what Handy Manny is repairing that day. I can only watch the news when I wake up before the kids. Rarely.

Baby Einstein was the only way I could get a shower when my son was a baby. He loved it, especially the puppets! haha

[Tenacious_D]

Little E (who is 18 months) watches TV. I don't feel overly guilty because he loves to read and play and run around outdoors and honestly, it gives me a moment to breathe, use the bathroom etc. His active t.v. watching is about 30 minutes a day but we have to t.v. on for more than that if DH and I are watching the news or I need my fix of housewives

[peggyfromwastate]

If baby would watch TV I'd let her watch, no guilt. Seriously, I have tried everything to get her to watch SOMETHING, the darn girl just wants to read. Sure that sounds all well and good but I can get NOTHING done. 45 minute nap, when she is awake she wants to read or empty every cabinet we have or play outside. All good things but what I would not do for an hour of TV time in the morning and evening. Who am I kidding, she is my fifth, I'd take way more than an hour.

Um, sorry for the hijack, to your original question you should NOT feel guilty.

Wow. We live parallel lives. Seriously. I relate to everything you wrote.

!!!

J will sometimes watch about 10 minutes of TV- if I sit with her!

[peggyfromwastate]

At some point you'll switch to a cartoon instead of the news, tho. You'll know when to do it!

[MrsK]

I let BabyK watch some muppets clips on YouTube and he was mezmorized. Who wouldn't be? Singing teddy bears? Bring it on! I've also noticed him watching TV with DrK too. I've been surprised that he's noticed. FWIW, we have the babies phonics set and it came with a DVD for the baby. So, I guess it's not that bad.

[Pollyanna]

I should note that our oldest who watched TON, and I mean TONS of TV, is pretty much off the charts smart and creative. I don't thing TV hurts (even beyond the two hour limit) if kids do other things too.

[ides]

Oscar wasn't that interested in tv until recently. We would watch YoGabba Gabba clips on youtube and some music videos but he wouldn't last that long. He's about 20 months now and is really getting into it. He has a couple favorite shows (wonderpets, yo gabba gabba, dora the explorer and team umizoomi). He likes to try and keep it on in the background while playing a lot but I try to keep it off during those times. It is great for getting dinner cooking.

[HouseofWool]

Pretty soon you'll only know what Handy Manny is repairing that day.

I can't even tell you how funny this is. Sadly, because it is true.