Does your LO watch TV

kc0721

Ive noticed since Miller is beginning to focus more on stuff that I catch him watching TV.  When he's in his swing and we're having dinner and the TV is on he just sits and watches it.  I don't plop him down in front of the TV so he can watch it, but he seems really intersted in it, LOL.  Should I turn his swing away from it or just let him continue to watch it.  When we're not having dinner or doing stuff, we interact with him and sing songs, read stories, etc.  I'm just not sure what I should do?  Any thought/opinions? 

aubie96

Lydia was/is the same way.  We don't "plop" her in front of it either.  If she's in the jumperoo or playing on the floor she really doesn't pay attn to it much.  If she does or we are trying to calm her (if nothing else works) then we put it on a baby einstein, classical baby or another learning/kid type channel - like Disney or something.  They are just interested in the colors right now and it's stimulating them from what I understand.

We play with her, sing songs, read to her too and then her focus isn't on the TV at all.  When we eat together then she is in her bouncy seat and she's facing us and can't see the TV anyways.

Now when she's older I don't plan on allowing TV as I wasn't allowed to watch much growing up.  I'd rather her read or do something productive.  But to each his own.  I know that there are some kid/baby shows that help entertain but I'd rather her figure out how to entertain on her own sans the TV.

Ok that was probably too opinionated, sorry!!!

Soon2BMrsWiley

James generally seems uninterested.  Unless Elmo is on.  Elmo is baby crack.

uagirl

Charlotte does this too.  She really loves the bright colors on cartoons and animated commercials.  We don't sit her in front of the TV to watch it, but if she is in her swing, she will look that way. 

mrssamuels2b

Preston is interested also and J is a TV freak so I try to position him so that he is not facing the TV. I also believe that at this stage its just the colors they are looking at. As he gets older I plan to encourage more books, music and the like as opposed to the TV...

AUHOLLEY06

My LO doesnt seem that interested in the tv. Every once in awhile I will turn it on and she will watch it for a second then go back to just playing by herself. Now my friend that is a SAHM has a little boy same age and a 3 yr old.  They love the TV, I am not sure but this may be b/c they are at home more and it is stimulation for them while mom takes a break. I know I could only entertain her for so long during the day before I would give in to the tube. I love my friend and I hope that I dont offend any SAHM with this comment.

kc0721

aubie96:

Lydia was/is the same way.  We don't "plop" her in front of it either.  If she's in the jumperoo or playing on the floor she really doesn't pay attn to it much.  If she does or we are trying to calm her (if nothing else works) then we put it on a baby einstein, classical baby or another learning/kid type channel - like Disney or something.  They are just interested in the colors right now and it's stimulating them from what I understand.

We play with her, sing songs, read to her too and then her focus isn't on the TV at all.  When we eat together then she is in her bouncy seat and she's facing us and can't see the TV anyways.

Now when she's older I don't plan on allowing TV as I wasn't allowed to watch much growing up.  I'd rather her read or do something productive.  But to each his own.  I know that there are some kid/baby shows that help entertain but I'd rather her figure out how to entertain on her own sans the TV.

Ok that was probably too opinionated, sorry!!!

I

kc0721

I think it's mostly the colors too, however I don't want him to become dependent on it.  I also don't wanna use TV as a babysitter.  I guess when he becomes more intersted in toys then it'll be a little different. 

hamillm

Honestly, I don't see anything wrong with Jaxon watching a couple of shows.  He loves The Fresh Beat Band!  I guess if he were watching it all day, every day it would be different.  We spend as much time outside as possible, and he would rather be there or in his room playing than anywhere.  Until that show comes on, then he drops everything and dances

When he was Miller's age, though, I think he just liked the colors/movement

star21gazer

Aubrey never pays much attention to it.  She will look up every once in a while if one of the shows is playing music and dancing.  But she pretty much goes right back to playing. 

AUHOLLEY06

hamillm:

  He loves The Fresh Beat Band! 

I turned on the Sprout channel for LO to watch possibly and I started watching this show, I was really into it. LOL

lilcrablegs

when he was that little, he was drawn to the colors and movement too.  now, he cares NOTHING about watching the tv (only pushing buttons on it).  so, don't worry.  it's probably just interesting to him now and doesn't mean he will be obsessed with tv later!

MrsAO

Call me a bad mom but some times I secretly wish M would watch tv for 10 minutes. But alas, he is so uninterested. Elmo holds his attention for a very short time, the rest is any kind of music or theme song - during which he turns to me and dances, rather that watching.

But this is probably better for him so he doesn't get attached to the tv later.

ameliaandmatt

We try to keep Madeline turned away from the TV as much as possible.  We position her swing so that she can't see it, and try to keep her attention on us instead of it when we're playing.  DH is a Fox News addict and, as silly as it may sound, I worry about her getting too much stimulation from the split screen, all the tickers, flashing logos, etc.  When she does catch a glimpse of it she zones out really bad and no amount of calling her name, clapping, etc. gets her attention.  Sometimes if I just cannot get her to look away I'll take her outside or in another room to play.  We have the Baby Enstein box set but so far I haven't let her watch any of them yet.  We might watch the baby sign one this weekend, though.

ricejl

When Alex catches glimpses of it he is hooked. I position him on the floor so my back is to the TV and I don't get distracted by it but that means he is looking right at it. If it does catch his eyes I try to put it on one of those music channels, Planet Earth or the Blue Planet but I will admit I have caught him watching CSI.