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AIBU?

To think that one hours TV a day is too much for a baby?

74 replies

whatajobbeingsamumis30 · 17/05/2017 19:30

Not sure if this is the correct place to post..Basically what I asked...I let my LO watch TV after every meal time when we are at home, about 20 mins, sometimes less sometimes more. My LO is 8 months so just wondering if AIBU and I should stop this as he is still young but I wouldn't be able to get a shower in the morning if I didn't without worrying that he would end up crying, the other times it allows me to eat and tidy up. If people don't let their babies then what do they do?

OP posts:
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HappyLabrador · 17/05/2017 19:35

Personally, I don't think it'll do him any harm at all.

Its not like you're sitting him in front of it for hours and hours.

Don't worry about it Smile

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Beyondworried · 17/05/2017 19:35

What do you think will happen if they watch tv?

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PedantHere · 17/05/2017 19:37

The television isn't going to poison their minds, especially when they don't understand most of what is going on.

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BillyButtfuck · 17/05/2017 19:37

You wouldn't want his eyes going square!

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BellyBean · 17/05/2017 19:37

I never had to at this age, but then DD was happy watching me clear up while I chatted to her, or I'd do a less thorough job and finish up in the evening.

If you have a higher needs baby I can see why you've got into the habit. It's not the end of the world but I wouldn't see it as ideal either.

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DontTouchTheMoustache · 17/05/2017 19:39

Why do people freak out so much at the prospect of children watching TV?

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Iloveanimals · 17/05/2017 19:39

All day long =wrong
Used throughout day in moderation = fine

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BigBlockofCheese · 17/05/2017 19:39

It won't do him any harm but if you're looking for alternatives, I think at that age I used the jumperoo for dinner prep, sat him on the floor of bathroom with toys and sang to him while I showered, but mostly did alot of my chores during nap time.

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CountryCaterpillar · 17/05/2017 19:39

I didn't until 2 with the first one, and then limited it as a preschooler (American pediatric recommendation I think).

However the tv was often on for child 1 when child 2 came along so by default it was on sometimes. Not sure she was particularly interested as a baby though!!

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elkegel · 17/05/2017 19:44

DD1 watched CBeebies until she ought to have square eyes when she was little. She got into a super selective school and is getting top marks in her lessons. She is also fit and sporty. I don't believe it does them any harm.

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caffeinequick · 17/05/2017 19:48

Don't beat yourself up over a bit of telly. It's a great distraction when there are things you've got to do.

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evensmilingmakesmyfacehurt · 17/05/2017 19:51

We watch CBeebies in the morning from Teletubbies to Justin's House and again in the evening from the clangers to the bedtime story.

Now that he can move about I shove him in the jumperoo whilst I shower or baby walker and he follows me round whilst I do chores.

Watching TV isn't going to hurt them at this age but I can understand limiting screen time when they are older, my 2 yr old nieces can easily go into a peppa or paw patrol hazeGrin

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TexasPete · 17/05/2017 19:54

Ok good.

Where do we stand on YouTube because my two year old is obsessed to the point of insanity with it.

My insanity that is. It is all she wants to do. I'm on the verge of throwing the iPad in the fucking bin, the amount of tears and tantrums it causes.

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SummerMummy88 · 17/05/2017 19:58

Before I had my own kids I would have freaked out and thought how dare people sit babies in front of a TV lol how wrong was I 😂 just do whatever helps you get through the day!

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44PumpLane · 17/05/2017 20:01

At the age your child is at they are watching it for the vivid colours and shapes and movement I'd imagine, much the same way they would enjoy a disco light.

I have 6MO twins and recently started to use the tv in a similar manner- I'm not worried.

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isthistoonosy · 17/05/2017 20:03

With DC1 he was happy to watch us cleaning, showering, even dust in the sunlight kept him happy, so he watched very little TV at that age.

DC2 not such a content child so she watched more TV, listened to the radio more etc.

1hr a day I'd not worry about, but I would be mindful that it isn't everytime they need to be entertained, they do need to learn to entertain themselves.

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putdownyourphone · 17/05/2017 20:07

I used to think like you, but as mine have gotten older I've realized that it doesn't make much difference and they are still developing fine! Started using the TV to distract them when they were getting teasy at about 6mo, now they're nearly 11mo and I put it on when i have things to do - they play regardless and don't just sit there staring at it. I play with them, read them books, take them to soft play/music club etc, have play dates. If they need some distraction for a bit while I try to get on with stuff I don't think it will hurt. I wouldn't worry.

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Herewegogo · 17/05/2017 20:09

My TV is always on if we're at home, just as background noise more than anything. My 6mo is incredibly needy and won't even sit in a jumperoo or walker by herself if I'm not there. Sometimes she will watch Disney music videos though so I'm using that for as long as I can! I wouldn't worry at all.

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JuniDD · 17/05/2017 20:12

People worry too much about telly! I do sometimes...I have one friend who doesn't have a telly, but her kids are very placid and she can get on with stuff while they play/sit quietly etc. My child can destroy a room while I'm in it actively trying to stop her so...peppa is my friend. Plus, my DD has actually learned loads (another friend describes kids tv as 'relentlessly educational') and people are always asking how she knows stuff.

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43percentburnt · 17/05/2017 20:13

We let the children watch tv, we just don't have it on all day in the background.

Ds aged 3 likes educational videos on YouTube so we watch about 10 mins of them each day. I let him watch a couple of old programmes a week -.raggy dolls this week and maid Marion! This evening we started the nutcracker. He watches a couple of films a week. Animal documentaries.

Funnily he didn't like tv until he was 2. Loves music though, falls asleep with random music playlists on the iPod wearing massive headphones!

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FluffyMcCloud · 17/05/2017 20:16

What's wrong with babies watching tv?

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Marmalade85 · 17/05/2017 20:18

Mine had no interest in the tv at all until very recently (16months) and I am absolutely delighted! Now I can put teletubbies on in the morning while getting ready for work almost in peace.

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thatverynightinmaxsroom · 17/05/2017 20:21

Personally there's no way I'd let a baby watch that much TV.

I've had two reasonably (one very!) high needs babies and neither of them have watched TV and still don't at 1 & 3.

Instead? I have set up safe play spaces/had them in a sling/had them beside me at the counter etc.

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TooGood2BeFalse · 17/05/2017 20:21

I don't worry about TV, it fails to keep my sons entertained or still for longer than 1 minute maximum Grin There is a vague gurgle of appreciation if I do turn it on, then before I know it, the 5 year old is asking the dog if he'd like a bath and the 10 month old is attempting to get in the laundry basket Confused

YouTube is a different kettle of fish,however. DS1 adores numbers so if I let him he'd watch these kids maths videos for probably an hour or so before remembering me and demanding food Grin

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Aliveinwanderland · 17/05/2017 20:25

My DS is 6 months and watches CBeebies in a morning in bed with us for half an hour. Then it goes on again at 5pm ish when he starts getting crabby. It's back ground noise for a while but then around 6pm he will sit in his bouncy chair with his dummy in watching it for half hour before bath time. I can't see how it can do any harm, he doesn't plenty of other things too and doesn't understand a word of it!

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