To let my 11 week old DS watch Nick Jr?

[Asana]

Earlier this week, the TV was on a News channel and I was playing with DS on the sofa (rattle and picture book). For some inexplicable reason, I decided to check out the kids' channels and lighted on Nick Jnr. My DS immediately perked up and was completely enthralled with Peppa Pig - he reacted a lot more to that than to anything else I've tried with him so far (play gym, soft toys etc).

I have now taken to popping him in front of Nick Jnr when I need to eat if he happens to be awake. I find it distracts him enough for me to wolf down my meal as fast as I can. I also admit that I've done the same if I need to do household chores etc and I'm finding that I'm now getting so much more done in the course of the day (given that DS fights daytime sleep with the will of a demon!)

So tell me, does this make me an evil unreasonable lazy mother? Am I scarring my DS for life and setting him up for an attention span of a gnat?

[madwomanintheattic]

nice middle class mummies use baby einstein.

[geordieminx]

624 - baby channel tis a life saver, and has no commercials

[MIAonline]

Will probably be in the minority but here goes (and it is AIBU)

Although you are obviously not an evil, unreasonable or lazy mother for doing it, I still think it is a very bad idea for a very young baby to become so focussed on the TV screen and be so overstimulated at such a young age.

YABU

[Tamarto]

Go for the baby channel instead, believe me you'll be sick of Nick jr in a few years so avoid it while you can.

[pjmama]

I have twins so I shamelessly used the Baby Channel to full advantage in those early months! They're nearly 3 now and don't seem to have been scarred for life by it.

[monkeyfacegrace]

LOL, Im an evil mother with you then! My tv is set to sky 614, and my kids love it. They go swimming, on walks, we do crafts, they have nursery, toys and books galore, and so what if when Im having a bad day and want to bleach my floors they watch tv? They have rounded lives, thats all that matters. So chill out a bit, let him watch tv, then put him in a buggy and take him for a long walk to give him fresh air. Everything in moderation!

[JohnDory]

LOL
he cant blardy see that far

[Asana]

I doubt he recognises the characters JohnDory - he's probably responding to the bright moving colours, more than anything else.

I understand what you mean MIAonline about him possibly being overstimulated, but I haven't noticed much of a difference between his post-Nick Jnr mood versus his post-"Mummy making stupid faces and wagging dumb soft toys in front of me (God, make it stop!)" mood.

Unfortunately, we aren't subscribed to Baby TV - I'm thinking that probably needs to change

Pretty surprised at there being only one IABU. Thought I was going to get flamed by the "No TV ever, just long brisk walks" mummies. My faith in Mumsnet is restored

[Rhian82]

Agh, wish my 9 month old was that enthralled by anything. We don't have digital so it's just CBeebies and ToonAttik, but no programs hold his attention. Wish it would, just so I could pop him in front of it occasionally!

[MIAonline]

I am surprised, you are surprised Asana.

I knew I would be in the minority

[pinkpalace]

My almost 2 year old was started on kiddies t.v from about 6 months (something we said we would never do). I only wish I had started it earlier as I would have been able to use the loo, make and eat a sandwich and possibly have got changed out of my pyjamas.

Now my daughter is 2 in a few weeks and is such an inquisitive and talkative toddler and I am sure this partly to do with kiddies t.v!

The very fact that you are concerned about this matter shows that you are taking your role as a mummy seriously so don't worry yourself over it. Just remember moderation is key!

A good tip if you have it is to sky plus his favourites. That can come in really handy.

Oh, and 611 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse is very colourful and has good music. Bunnytown is a fave of mine and hubbies!