babies and TV - what are your thoughts?

skroops · December 2008

I pretty much agree with the guideline of the AAP - no TV before they are two, but I'm just wondering what other people think about the subject. I definitely do not sit DD in front of the TV to "watch" something, but there are times when the TV is on and she is in the room, and she seems to be mesmerized by it, so then I start feeling like I should keep her from looking at it. Is that ridiculous? Does the whole no TV thing mean don't plop them down in front of the Baby Eeinstein videos all day, or should you really not have it on at all when they are in the room?

For example - family members came over to watch some football on a Sunday afternoon and my dad was holding DD, and the whole time she keeps trying to look at the TV - she's mesmerized by it. So, it's not like we aren't interacting with her and ignoring her, but I still don't really like the idea of her being so interested in the TV at this age (even though I know she doesn't understand what she's seeing) I'm probably way overthinking this, but I tend to do that with everything I'd be interested to hear other people's opinions on the matter.

WDYT? How far do you take the no TV for babies thing?

Myheart1297 · December 2008

I don't get the no TV thing at all. DS sits in my bed every morning when he wakes up (around 7:15am) and watches Sesame Street and he loves it! I just get what the big deal is about not letting him watch it. Maybe that's just me though.

engaged678 · December 2008

DS too is mesmerized by it. I think it's because it's color and sound and motion and they're drawn to that. I don't let the TV babysit him but I'm not going to keep him from looking at it. There are great educational shows on tv for kids and, when he's of that age to enjoy it and learn from it, I'll let him.

madhatter2003 · December 2008

My DD gets about 15-20 minutes of sesame street every morning. She is not turning into a vegetable at all and freakin loves Elmo. She cheers when he comes on TV.

Plus I manage to get my teeth brushed and bag packed to get to work in time

Gina418 · December 2008

I sit on the couch or in bed with my little guy and watch Noggin - I know at this age he's just reacting to the colors and movement, but I don't think I'm harming him. As he gets older I don't have issues with him wathing Noggin or other educational shows (not 24/7 of course). My 6 year old niece knows a lot of Spanish because she watches Dora - I think that's a plus!

MrsRenee · December 2008

DS loves tv too! LOL- he loved the one advertisement for the Victoria Secret fashion show.

I think a little bit of tv a day is ok- it'd be too hard to completely cut it out. The key is not to let the tv be the babysitter.

smiling76 · December 2008

I grew up watching Sesame street from a very young age--and Mister Rogers and I was a straight A student through grade school and honors in college. I think if you are sitting a baby in front of it for 8 hours a day--yes--bad. But even to watch a short show like Sesame Street or something---I personally don't see a problem. But I wouldn't do it every single day. Like this morning DS woke up super early--I hadn't pumped the other side yet and DH was sick in bed---so he was in his bouncer beside me---I wanted to check the weather on tv and then saw Sesame Street was on--I turned it on just to see how it's changed over the years--and DS was mesmerized. I read him an elmo book just about everyday with pictures and he got to see the REAL Elmo--and he actually smiled when I said "look, there's Elmo"---and as far as football--my DS watches it with my dad too and you know what--it's not a full game by any means and it means so much to my dad--and DS looks so happy--there's no way I would take that away from him.

So thumbs up to a happy baby--even if it means tv once in a while. Having said that--when he gets old enough where he actually only wants to watch tv--then we'll set guidelines.

rlb4tide · December 2008

DD LOVES tv! At the moment I am a single mom living with my dad. There are times when I have to sit her in front of the tv while I wash bottles, do laundry, whatever! But I dont let sit her in front of constantly...she LOVES Mickey Mouse Clubhouse!

) haha

krismtg · December 2008

I think that as long as the kid is not in front of it all day, it's fine. When my DH gets home we watch tv, its a way to unwind either that or video games. We still hold my DS and interact with him but I don't think having it on is having detremential effects. Also if you have on demand there is a great kids section with sing a longs and stuff. I put it on so that I have help remembering the words to the nursery rhymes

papagena · December 2008

I admit, I get worried about DC getting sucked into TV. I watch while I feed him, and my DH and I have both noticed that he looks for the TV even when it isn't on when we're downstairs. I am a bit of a TV addict, and I just figure that no TV for him right now will be better in the long run. I still watch when he's feeding, but then turn it off and leave the room.

Libramom2b · December 2008

I too was a SS kid. I swear I learned my ABC's from that show by 1 and a half. Anyway, of course your DC catching a glimpse of TV is not going to harm her. What are you supposed to shield her eyes when you are in the same room with a TV? DS watches Blues clues for about 15 minutes every morning while I get ready. I would be able to constantly entertain him during that time anyway. I don't think it's a big deal unless you are using it as a constant babysitter (or letting them watch The Hills Have Eyes or some crap)

caymanbride · December 2008

I don't see the harm in a little here and there. Last night when Rudolph was on CBS, he loved it! He cooed and giggled and was mesmorized by it, and I thought it was cute. I think as long as you don't sit your kid in front of the tv 24/7, it's fine. I think it's a little unrealistic to watch no tv until 2 years old.

AndysKandi · December 2008

Neither of my DD's have ever seemed "mesmerized" by it, though DD #1 does love Barney. Anyhow, I think there is nothing wrong with it, in moderation. A favorite show now and then while mom cleans up or cooks. What isn't okay would be using it as a babysitter for hours on end.

Smores730 · December 2008

I'll admit it, I've let baby einstein babysit my dd a few times while I've gone to the bathroom and hand washed bottles

racegirl723 · December 2008

My DH is a major tv addict and I worry about DS becoming one, too. As a result, we limit the tv when DS is in the room. We will watch it while we are feeding him or sometimes early in the morning if we're all just waking up or occassionally during football. For the most part though, we keep the tv off when we're playing or doing anything else around DS. I will confess that I am limiting the tv as much to break DH's bad habits as I am for DS. I don't think a little tv will hurt him, but I'm afraid with my DH a little tv will turn in to a lot.

ohwhattheheck · December 2008

swimbikepuke:
If she's in the room and the TV is on. I face her away from it. When she gets old enough to move herself tp face the TV, I'll stop watching it while she's in the room.

This is pretty much my view. I also keep the volume down low so she notices it less.

I read an article a while back that said that even having tv on as background noise can be harmful to their development. Of course, I don't remember what exactly the article said and I don't have a link...it was on msnbc though!

auburnbride2be · December 2008

I'm glad I'm not alone. I'm not obsessive about turning her away from the TV if we are playing in the den and it catches her attention. I do agree that I don't want her watching it instead of interacting with people and learning/playing. She absolutely loves it - especially football. Must be the movement and colors.

LittleMamaB · December 2008

My oldest watches tv...well, mostly DVDs. He has a few Veggie Tales, Elmo in Grouchland (love this one), and some Bob the Builder. He's sixteen months old, easily has 20 words by now, and plays on his own like a champ. I really don't think that a little bit of tv is a big deal at all.

AutumnGirl07 · December 2008

I am going to be the odd man out with this one, but I say NO TV before the age of 2.

I have my master's degree in education and have taken classes on child development. There are many studies out there that have proven TV before the age of two actually does harms the child's mental development. As a teacher, it is pretty clear to me the results of children being babysat by TV.

With that being said, on a rare occasion when friends or family are over to watch a special show, and your child is in the room... not a big deal. I now work from home and take care of my little girl, and honestly, have the TV on all day. She doesn't even notice. If I found her staring at it, I would shut it off immediately.

After the age of two, there are so many great shows out there!! Yes, let your little one watch Sesame Street, etc. but before the age of two, please limit your child's exposure to TV.

RevJG · December 2008

I think the issue is not so much that they will become tv junkies, rather their little brains and eyes cannot process the rapid movement that occurs on television (my understanding is that this is the case regardless of whether it is Sesame Street or The Sopranos).

phanatic · December 2008

sorry, but the 20 minutes [at most] a day that DS watches sesame street isn't going to kill him. my mom let me ::gasp!:: watch the full hour when i was his age. honors student, AP scores out the wazoo, etc. here. he'll be fine.

HTHOMAS1 · December 2008

I don't understand the no tv thing at all. I don't plop DS down in front of it, but I definitely let him enjoy it if it is on and he is in the room. He loves it & DH thinks it is funny that DS loves to watch it so much. I think if they only watch it a little bit it is no big deal.

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