Are you kidding me?! A TV in the nursery?!

twinters2224 · April 2010

We have a small 19" television in our daughters nusery and let me tell you...it is for the parents when you are up all hours of the night. It doesn't distract the baby and normally I keep the volume low and just enjoy having it on while feeding. Makes the time go by faster

Once your little one is old enough to enjoy it with the cartoons fine but it is ultimately up to the parents to control how much the tv gets used by a child. In the mornings we put on cartoons and sing along, etc.

Love3-10 · April 2010

no way, they are addicted to TV w/o making it so accessible to them. Not good to encourage it

baileyjane1@gmail.com · April 2010

The only reason I could see to ever have a TV in a nursery would be if it wasn't an active/working TV and it was used simply as a nightlight and for the sound of static to help the baby sleep. But both of those things can be achieved by a night light and a radio turned all the way to one side or the other for the static...

I'm not a fan of TV in the bedroom. TV should be a designated and controlled luxury.

bh2720 · April 2010

JBrianne:
OP I think it's ridiculous. Yes of course it's for the parents, but there's ipods for entertainment that will certainly have no chance of harming your infant in any way.
I'm firmly in the no tv in the vicinity of baby till LO is at least 3, and the longer without the better. That might mean a lot of reading and a lot of downloading podcasts so I can listen to something interesting, but the absolute dependency on tv for entertainment these days is atrocious. There are millions of better things to do. And singing along to your favorite songs on the radio is sure as heck going to make your baby a lot happier than watching tv on mute.

SO true! My son is a year old and the only time he's watched TV is when we've been at a friend or relative's house and the TV was on (I'm not going to ask them to turn it off just because of us...). But we haven't missed having the TV on at all. I have friends who just can't imagine how to get along in life without the TV constantly blaring in the background, but ours is only on after my son goes to bed and it's been really nice. We read to him, sing songs and play games with him. And he never gets that zoned out look that I see kids get when they are focused on the TV.

And as far as having one in the nursery, I just can't imagine that. The lights, movement and sound on the tv is SO stimulating! That's the last thing you should want around when trying to soothe your baby to sleep.

Ginger98 · April 2010

We happen to have an extra tv since my MIL moved in & brought in her own, but we had already decided no tv for Arya until she's at least 2. My aunt did this with my neice, & it sounded like such a good idea to us. We have a nephew that was a tv baby. He's now almost 13, & if he walks into a room with a tv, it automatically has his attention. Of course, I do realize it's my SIL's fault that he is that way, but we'd rather not take the chance. Plus, we hope it will keep us more active, too. We have a tv in our bedroom, & most of the time I wish we didn't. My DH can't be home without the tv being turned on, whether he's watching or not. I'd rather read a book, so I guess that's what I'll be doing instead. I think this is a personal decision for everyone. Maybe that tv won't even get used all that much, & I agree with the person who said you ultimately decide how much tv baby will end up being exposed to.

traci37 · April 2010

Agreed! I work with children birth to age 3 and too much stimulation is not good. Besides the noise from the TV would disturb the baby and even if it is muted, the light and movement from screen would be enough to disturb them.

scorpioswed · April 2010

I wouldn't do it. There are studies that correlate TV watching by 1-3 year olds with the development of ADHD. Here's a link:

https://www.neuropsychiatryreviews.com/may04/npr_may04_excessiveTV.html

The American Association of Pediatrics recommends that children under 2 don't watch TV, as it can alter learning and behavior.

I personally will be trying to avoid the allure of the TV as a way to distract my baby. It will be hard, but I think its probably worth. Good luck!

mrsmc623 · April 2010

I agree that the only good reason to do it would be for parents who are up all hours of the night dealing with the baby!

meggypoo · April 2010

I think it is a bit silly, honestly. But, I am not yet to the point where I am up all the time. I think that the TV would be distracting to the baby trying to sleep. We only have TVs in the living areas (living room and game room). We believe that a bedroom is primarily for sleeping, so baby doesn't get a TV till they are out of our house. That's just my opinion. Good luck!!

mehardwi · April 2010

I will be keeping a very small tv in the nursery for me when I am nursing, but it will not be a permanent fixture that is there for LO to watch. No tv until they are 2, that's what AAP recommends

smartowl · April 2010

No way would I put a TV in my child's room! Take it from a veteran teacher who has the worst time getting students to focus in the classroom due to their media/technology exposure at home...this is no way to promote good development in a child.

And those who say the tv is for the parents? Shouldn't you be bonding with your child while you nurse or rock - not tuning into the latest game???

riserst · April 2010

Re: "I'm firmly in the no tv in the vicinity of baby till LO is at least 3"

I just wanted to commend all the parents that are keeping their children away from TV until they are 2 or 3. Can I ask how you are going to do that? TV's are EVERYWHERE!! You might as well stay at home for 2 or 3 years to accomplish that.

Regarding the TV in the nursery: We have an extra one and it is currently in the nursery. While I am against having it on for baby's entertainment, I don't see a problem with it being there for the parents. My first child could have cared less if the TV was on in her room or any other room in the home. I don't buy the overstimulation thing either. Just my thoughts.

alefarnam · April 2010

First of all, I?m glad you?re not on board with the idea of a TV in a nursery. I strongly disagree with your husband, but you can respectfully disagree with him and try to help him see the other perspective.

Here are some points you and your husband could consider:

- As mentioned by a couple posters already, there are professional recommendations to avoid TV completely before the age of two.

- A baby or child is still developing a perception of reality, both visually and cognitively. They won?t really understand that what?s on the screen isn?t real.

- The constant stimulation from rapidly-paced visual sequences is not good for developing longer attention spans.

- Nothing replaces one-on-one personal contact with a child. TV is the worst babysitter ever.

- Lifelong habits start young. Do you want a child who is dependent on being constantly entertained?

- Even if the TV is primarily for the adults? use, do you want your child growing up with the assumption that TV is an integral part of life? Do you want to miss out on witnessing and contributing to your child's little developments because you were distracted by TV?

- Values and assumptions about life are picked up everywhere by children. Do you want TV to be a source of learning about what is good and normal? This applies to kid?s shows too, not only violent or sexy content.

- Children who are not constantly, passively entertained will have a chance to develop more creative skills.

- A TV in one?s own room sends the message that you can watch whatever you want and it?s no one?s business. Maybe you don?t have a problem with that, but there is a LOT of content out there that can be damaging to children and young adults, especially if the habit of no-supervision or watching-alone starts early. It might sound extreme now, but you?ll never know if they?re watching porn if you?ve never made it a point for viewing material to be other than private. Exposure to these things generally starts in childhood now.

- If all else fails, you can ?store? the TV in the room but not really use it there. Maybe you could pull it into the living room when you want to watch a particular show or movie together. It can be helpful to have to make an effort in order to watch something, so that you're doing it for a good reason.

As a note from personal experience, I grew up without a TV for most of my childhood. I learned to read at the age of 3, loved arts and crafts, learned multiple musical instruments, and came up with very creative ways to play with sisters and friends. When we borrowed a TV for special occasions (e.g. the Olympics), it was noticeable how we would get ?sucked in? to watching instead of our usual creative activities.

Best wishes!

vjustice83 · April 2010

I am a mommy of 3 going on 4 kids. We tried the tv in our oldest's room about a year ago. The result was a cranky 4 year old who kept pressing play on the tv for her dvd. This meant that there was no sleep going on, and made it very stressful the next day. So while we own 4 tv's there are only 2 in use in our home. The family tv in the living room, and the one in my bedroom. This way we can assure good sleep and see what our children are watching on tv at all times. I have seen/ read about how tv can effect a child's brain function, not to mention add to the serious rate of childhood obesity. We opt not to do this. We also have adopted the if our kids can't watch it, neither should we rule. This is just a personal value in our family. We do not have cable or any other extras, there are many kids networks on regular tv or with the "box"... We stick with PBS for the learning shows or something with a good moral or value to it. This way we don't have to deal with the "boogie man" or othere things that kids may come up with due to tv.

wonderbird · April 2010

I tend to think there are healthier ways to distract both baby and parents. I plan on trying soft music or reading a book late at night. I have night lights set up in the nursery so we can all stay sleepy and baby learns night time is still sleepy time, even if it's time for a snack!

Even with the sound off, the baby will still watch the TV, and it's not good for their brain development. I also feel it can become a habit quickly for both parents and baby - one that just becomes harder to overcome. Then again, I didn't have a TV for 10 years in college and only have one now so my DH can play computer games and we can use the internet on the big screen.

If you google "Television effect on infant brain" you'll come up with some information about infant (especially under 3) TV viewing linked to ADHD and cognitive development delays. I think this is related to intensive viewing all times of the day, but I just don't see the need to include a TV in the nursery. LO will get enough of it anyhow. Watching TV disrupts sleep patterns too. I also agree with the comments that it takes away from that kind of safe haven nursery feel. I just don't see the need for it!

aimzoe · April 2010

I am not for it. There is no need for LO to be watching tv. There are many studies done where to much tv can cause obsesity. I think its totally unnecessary.

JennyU · April 2010

We had a small tv in the nursery with our first one and will again when this LO arrives, but it was not AT ALL for them to be watching cartoons alone. My daughter did not sleep for the first three months and I spent a lot of time in the rocker at all hours of the night. The tv (and her crying) was the only thing that kept me awake. As soon as she started sleeping more, that tv came right out! I am not one to judge, but your husband's reasoning seems a bit silly!

mama2many · April 2010

We agreed to a one TV and one computer in a public space rule for our house. We're expecting baby #5 and are really happy that we don't have kids parceled out & isolated from the family all over the house. Besides,

1. Wouldn't parents want to focus on the joy of rocking & nursing their baby rather than totally disconnecting with baby & zoning out on news or a football game?

2. Watching TV in toddler's room while they play - I don't get it - don't they want to play with, read to, and interact with their children if they are going to be in the bedroom/playroom with them?

kebbi1 · April 2010

I actually had one in my duaghter's room. But, I would turn on an "off the air" channel for the white noise use, just covering up the screen. I did use it myself at a few of her feeding- those 5-6am feedings is a good time to catchup on news, I just kept the volume down as low as I possibly could. Once she hit about 6 mths and was pulling herself into sitting pos., I stopped using it. Personally, I feel as long as the shows on the TV aren't being used to lull your baby to sleep as she/he gets older, there's no harm. Congrats and enjoy!!

M.L.E · April 2010

snansley:
I am not a fan of televisions in bedrooms as a general rule.

I can see where a tv would be nice for late night feedings. Then again, I have read a few articles saying there is something about tvs/computer screens emitting blue light that messes with your sleep patterns and that you should avoid watching tv within a half hour of going to sleep and not turn it on if you can't sleep.

Of course, having an infant really messes up your sleep patterns too, so it may be a moot point. Whatever you can do to get through those first few months.

I agree with tv messing up your sleep patterns. In the beginning when I was up doing late night feedings with my DS, if I watched tv or turned on the computer I had a really hard time falling back to sleep. Now I feed him in the total dark and he falls right back to sleep when he is done, and I do too.

SLH1014 · April 2010

We are in a similar situation. We live in a two-bedroom townhouse/condo. When my son was born, we converted, what was a guest room to a guest room/nursery. So, basically, we left the queen bed in the room, but also added his crib, rocking chair, etc and decorated as a nursery. We left the tv in the room because it functions as a guest room when we need it. When we have company, depending, either we sleep in the guest room with my son in his crib. Or we let the guest stay in the guest room/nursery and just let my son sleep in our bedroom until the guests leave. The TV is moreso for when we have guests. Although once my son was old enough, we did let him watch limited amounts of pre-school DVDs (i.e. Rock-n-learn Colors and Counting) in his room in the morning while we were getting him dressed. We've since moved the TV out of his room into the living room because our living room TV died and we haven't yet bought a new one to replace it.

SoonAMomof3 · April 2010

I was not allowed to have a TV in my room until High school, same with my husband. My children will not have a TV in their room until they are much older and prove they deserve to have it in there. Hubby and I do have a TV in our room because we use it as an alarm and I tend to watch TV up there while he watches his sporting events in the living room.

I know a TV in a babies room would be more for the adults than the kids but the more light and sounds they see/hear during middle of the night feedings, the more they will wake up and the harder it will be to put them back to bed. That is my opinion at least.

Good luck with your hubby!!

intenseimages81 · April 2010

I'm not sure how much tv watching an infant really does even if there is a tv in the nursery. However it can be nice to watch a little Nick at Nite during those night time feedings.

TheSkimmy · April 2010

I have an amazing glider, recliner, rocker in the nursery and no other rocking chair in the house. I have a DVD TV in the nursery. I have not turned it on in probably a year. DS was a horrible sleeper so this was so nice because I'd be up all night and BORED. I BF until he was 7 months old and after about 4 months he was aware of the TV if I turned it on so I didn't- but before that they have no clue.

I can't wait to have it in the nursery for #2! BTW- I did not have a TV in my room until I went to college. It's not for DC's it's for the parents that need to stay awake to take care of a child when they are on an hour sleep.

green6 · April 2010

Not totally absurd, like others have said it's becoming popular (with those who have too much money). The first couple of months it would be nice, but then you don't want to have the TV on when you're trying to get them back to sleep. After the first few months it would be totally pointless because you will spend as little time as possible in the nursery.

Personally I bought Tetris on my phone and that's what I played for hours on end. I also used my mp3 player a lot because he would love for me to sing to him. It's a heck of a lot cheaper!

Cherub5594 · April 2010

We actually do have a TV in the nursery (quite a large one!) but for many reasons...

1. Our nursery used to be our guest bedroom and still is when we have company. So while my teenage half sisters sleepover (or rather stay up alllll night) they can confine themselves entertained to one room with a door on it and the baby can come sleep in his playyard in our room.

2. There really is no where else to put it..

3. I am not a morning person, it takes me a good amount of time to be functioning in the morning, used to I would bring the baby out to the living room and let him play on the floor, or swing in his swing while I went to the bathroom, found caffeine, etc.While this didnt matter so much at first when he was too young/small to try and escape, (or try picking the dogs noses!) now that he is getting bigger and more mobile he doesnt like to stay in one place for long once he is out of bed. So sometimes just letting him watch cartoons in the safety of his crib trying to prolong the time between blissfully sleeping and ready to cause havoc while I wake up is the best option.

P.s. I did watch a LOT of TV when he was just born, he slept so much and woke up so often I always wanted to be right there, but "resting" at the same time. Hope this helped!

Kelly.G · April 2010

Really, I'm kind of surprised that so many people thought this was OK. What about the recommendation that children under age 2 shouldn't be watching TV at all? Little children cannot tune out TV the way adults can, and having it on in the background all the time is bad for their brain development. We don't watch TV at all while our son is awake, only after he's gone to bed to we turn it on. And we plan on monitoring family TV watching in the living room once he gets old enough.

Get a Kindle, it makes it really easy read a book while you're nursing a lot those first couple of months.

mysticporter · April 2010

This just came up on one of the other boards. Personally I'd never have one in a LO's room when they are of age to watch it, but I used to watch TV all the time with the sound off/CC on when I was nursing DD, and we'd both do it rocking her at night if she was having a rough go. Babies/toddlers aren't recommended to watch TV and we stopped we she started wanting to turn and pay attention to it, but in the beginning it was fine.

hesavedme1 · April 2010

Girl im going to have a tv in my nursery..but of course there is a bed there for me also...cause hubby cant get waken up when he starts his classes again(i know hes gonna be sleeping in there with us haha) but tv is good for loneliness and etc so you know if you are going to be spending alot of time with baby day and night it will be good to have some entertainment instead of staring at a wall haha

-kayla

amielaventhall · April 2010

We are in the same boat with converting our home office into the nursery. We are keeping the TV in the room for our use when up feeding her late night and such. I don't see the harm considering my newborn/infant clearly cannot turn the TV on by herself so I don't see this turning into a "bad habit" for her as some people said. By the time she is big enough to know what TV is and how to work it we most likely will have redone her room and will take it out then. As a baby without the ability to know what it is much less how it works I don't know what possible harm could come of it.

wife1014 · April 2010

negrilbride07:

shrinkedink:
I am not big on tv's in kids' room anyway so I am unusually biased here.

Exactly this!

me too! And this goes for computers too...

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