Is TV bad for babies??

smittysoup

I don't set LO down in front of the TV or anything like that. But I do have it on most of the day for background noise when I'm in the living room.  I never noticed LO looking at it.  I heard from some people today that they don't even have it on for more than an hour a day because it's harmful for infants...is this true?? What's the deal?

MamatoJackson

I don't think hearing it is the problem although that may detract from them hearing the sound of your voice, which will be more impactful in their development.

Recent studies have shown that children under the age of 2 should not watch television as it dramatically increases their chances of getting ADHD.

Even the Baby Einstein videos are bad. 

MsKay88

You are going to get 1,000,001 answers on here.lol.You're better off asking your pediatrician.

MamatoJackson

https://www.whitedot.org/issue/iss_story.asp?slug=ADHD%20Toddlers

MsKay88

I have heard it said that children learn more in the sand box eating bugs than they do watching Dora or Blue.

IrishBrideND

There are recent studies that say even having it on in the background isn't good fo infants. They say no tv for those under 2

 

That being said, we have it on.

lizbi0407

We have it on in the background and she will stare at it occasionally but I know it's just b/c she likes the lights and noises. Sometimes I wonder how it's really all that different than a lot of her light up flashy things that she has? *Shrugs* I dunno I'm not to worried about it.

celiabwatson

We used to have it on in the background but as soon as I started noticing him looking at it (turning his head toward it intentionally) we made a rule that it's not allowed on when he's awake. I do watch while I nurse though, because he's got better things to do then.

Jeni182

lizbi0407:

We have it on in the background and she will stare at it occasionally but I know it's just b/c she likes the lights and noises. Sometimes I wonder how it's really all that different than a lot of her light up flashy things that she has? *Shrugs* I dunno I'm not to worried about it.

I've wondered this too. He has a fisher price piano that has flashing lights and music and I don't see how it's that much different from the TV being on in the background.

Kanne0729

I have the TV on all the time. Occasionally I'll catch him watching it, but he likes to look around the room more than watch the tv. He does really like when sports are on though, especially Hockey. I really don't see a problem with it and am not really worried. It would be one thing if I was sitting him in front of the tv all day.

TMDMJAOCT07

We have the tv on from time to time when dd is in the room.  There are some days that the noise is nice.  By no means do I stick her infront of it and walk away and use the tv as a baby sitter.  But, if it's on and I run to the bathroom or to switch the laundry and she watches it for a minute, whatever. I don't care. I interact with a ton when she's awake, so the few minutes of tv isn't going to harm anything, imo.

MamatoJackson

Jeni182:

lizbi0407:

We have it on in the background and she will stare at it occasionally but I know it's just b/c she likes the lights and noises. Sometimes I wonder how it's really all that different than a lot of her light up flashy things that she has? *Shrugs* I dunno I'm not to worried about it.

I've wondered this too. He has a fisher price piano that has flashing lights and music and I don't see how it's that much different from the TV being on in the background.

"When one-year olds are playing with a toy, they can explore it, poke at it, drop it," says Yale University Television Researcher Dorothy Singer. "They?re learning about space, about sound, and they?re developing sense of competence. Watching a TV show just doesn?t provide the same sensory experience."  

MamatoJackson

Bottom line answer to your question...

No, it's not good for them.  Many people think it's bad for them.

However, there are always those parents who are going to allow their children to do things that researchers believe parents shouldn't. 

Temp36641187503164

lizbi0407:

We have it on in the background and she will stare at it occasionally but I know it's just b/c she likes the lights and noises. Sometimes I wonder how it's really all that different than a lot of her light up flashy things that she has? *Shrugs* I dunno I'm not to worried about it.

I've thought this as well. We don't have it on much, but he will stare at it if he notices it. I've never placed him in front of the tv. DH was watching tv with him one day and I turned it off, mentioning that they aren't supposed to watch tv under the age of 2. DS started screaming, he was really enjoying A-team...lol!

KristenBtobe

This is a hot issue among toddler parents. There's lots of things that you will have to decide as a parent and tv watching is one of them. We allow our daughter to watch Sesame Street and Blue. All things in moderation is our approach. But there are certainly folks who don't allow any tv and that's great too.

RadicalDreamer143

Just FYI, ADHD might appear later on in their childhood, it doesn't just magically become a problem after year two.  Just some food for thought for those of you that think that TV isn't all that bad  - my mother tried justifying that with both of her sons... both had ADHD by 2nd grade.

We're actually cancelling cable - not because of money, but because most of what is on TV is crap, especially kids' stations.  DH and I rarely watch it as it is - our new Samsung with strictly be for family movie nights when Liam is older.  If I am dying for background noise, I put on music.

smittysoup

Wow I literally had no idea that this was even an issue.  Thanks everyone for your responses.  I guess I just didn't think about it, because we aren't putting on shows for LO to watch, it's just on.  We watch plenty of shows at night though, like the Office and Chuck or whatever.  I don't think we are going to stop watching TV altogether by any means. 

I guess I don't need to have it on during the day...I just do for comfort.  I can switch it up with music though...