For those that let LO watch tv...

blondbomber23

Do you use "educational" videos or just whatever is on tv (cartoons,etc)?

LO watches a very small amount of tv (maybe 10 minutes or so) on the days that I work (about 3 times/week). She always wants to be held or entertained and it's the only way that I'm able to shower and start getting ready without a screaming baby. I don't think she actually "watches" the show since she's only 4 months, but she loves all the colors.
We don't intend to continue much tv watching but I've had a few people mention using Baby Einstein videos or something similar rather than regular cartoons. I feel like LO is a little too young for this stuff, but maybe in the future...?

Did anyone else use these? Opinions?

libbyk86

We have one Baby Einstein video, but it honestly doesn't hold E's attention as well as cartoons on TV.  I figure if she's going to watch cartoons (which I don't have a problem with in moderation), it's all about what she's watching. There are a ton of educational cartoons on PBS--Sid the Science Kid, Super Why, Sesame Street, for example. I'd much rather she watches these sorts of things than Spongebob or whatever the latest Disney Princess fad will be when she's old enough to care. 

mrs.melluvslogan

Ellie watches specific shows on tv.  When that show is over, then she doesn't watch anymore.  At A's age though, she was more interested in the colors, noise, etc. than anything else.  We never used any videos, mainly because we don't have any, but occasionally would turn on On Demand.  They have a lot of stuff on there and some aimed at smaller babies with lights, sounds, etc.  You might want to check that out so you can grab a shower.  I totally sympathize with that. 

NDwife07

we use DVDs lik baby einstein not because we think they'll make her smarter but because there's nothing on tv that holds her attention at 6 am. at 4m it seems like a baby-geared video would probably be more likely to serve your purpose.

heatherchelle

Isabella gets to watch a little bit of tv to keep her occupied while I make breakfast or lunch, or clean.  She loves Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (I think it's the bright colors), Yo Gabba Gabba (this show is just plain awful from the adult perspective), and Sesame Street.  I try to stick to Sprout, Playhouse Disney (Disney channel in the am), and Nick Jr since all of the shows seem to have some sort of educational element to them.  

Most of the time, I tune the tv to the children's satellite radio station so she can listen to the music while she plays, but there's nothing going on on-screen to stimulate her interest.  She enjoys the music, but she keeps playing rather than zoning out to the tv.

ErinND08

One of my friends let me borrow a "brainy baby" dvd-- and it does catch my LO's attention.  But, I've noticed that he gets (understandably) overwhelmed when things flash, move quickly, change scene, etc.  His "favorite" thing to watch is baseball and golf (mostly w/ Daddy). My theory is that it's because he can see the bright colors and things move (IMO) very slowly!  I don't think there's anything wrong with some incidental t.v.... : ) 

Val&B0604

We have one Baby Einstein video, it never got her attention.  We watch mostly PBS or Nick Jr.  Nick Jr is interactive, so the character asks questions and does things like count with me, which is why she watches what she does.

MrsRender06

We do a bit of both. She likes her Baby Einstein video now b/c it shows animals and she can say them and their noises. When she was younger she didn't care much for anything but Mickey Mouse clubhouse.

She likes the cartoons...Mickey, Phineas and Ferb, Handy Manny. But she loves the music to Hannah Montana and Wizards and dances to the opening songs, but then loses interest.

mbs427

Evan just watches Sesame Street, Yo Gabba Gabba, and Bear in the Big Blue House.  On road trips, he likes Finding Nemo, Cars, etc.  He's not into cartoons...and we really haven't introduced that to him.