3 month old watching TV!

[julesmb]

I have made the discovery that I can put my 12 week old dd1 in front of cbeebies and it keeps her entertained for up to an hour at a time (giving me much needed chances to catch up on everything else!) I'm feeling vaguely guilty although I know that she's just using it to develop colours and learn etc - what do you think? I spend lots of time with her everyday looking at the baby shapes book and under her 'baby gym' - shall I give myself a break or is TV bad for her even at this early age?

[Izzywhizzy]

There have been recent studies which link watching TV at an easrly age with development of ADHD later in life.

My dd is 13 months old and I still don't switch on the TV for her.

See here

[cadelaide]

I think it's fine, but then I am a very slack mother!

[thelittlestbadger]

Give yourself a break. But try not to let her sit there for very long ( I would have thought maybe 20 mins max?) and also try and watch it with her sometimes IYSWIM. DD and I tend to watch some of the bedtime hour together and I talk to her through Rubberdubbers for example and then leave her watching Zoo Lane while I do her bath and get eveything ready for hte night. Does this help?

[hana]

at that age they really don't need tv - they would be equally happy watching you potter around the house doing jobs

[NotABanana]

TBH not something I feel comfortable with and certainly not for one hour. She woul dbe just as happy in front of the washer going round.

[Pinkjenny]

Mine will not watch for longer than, er, a minute. Too busy looking for mischief.

[jellybelly2007]

I had a friend who sat her DD in front of massive 60 inch tv from getting up till going to bed, only kids programmes on (but they werent actually watching it!?!)If you mentioned the name of a prog e.g. big cook little cook, her DD would whip round and look at the telly, my friend would then say, 'oh, X, would you like to watch this, this or that? Ooh look, disney babies is starting, you love that dont you?'

This poor kid knew the name of everything on tv, and it really saddened me. I told this woman qbout the links to obesity and ADHD, but she took no notice of me at all. 'But she loves them........see? The other day X copied the whole dance routine for the intro to (whatever)'

I'm not holier than thou, and admit my tv is on occasionally, but TBH, DS is happier in front of the washing machine.

[ReallyTired]

I think you would be better investing in a sling if you need to get on with the houshold chores. At three months old your baby isn't mobile, why can't you leave her under the baby gym while you do your jobs.

Try having an active toddler. THEN it would be understandable using the TV for a break.

[freakypenguin]

there is something about young babies being mesmerised by tv, but the images change too quickly for them to process and it can actually be quite stressful even though they can't tear themselves away from it.

agree it's better to have them watch you do jobs - and tell them what you're doing. you feel insane at first saying "here's a little blue vest, shall we hang it here?|" or whatever, but i think that;s better than telly for one so young!

[TeaDr1nker]

Have your thought about getting the baby einstein video's/DVD's? I must admit that my LO (6months) whatches (scuse spelling) these, but then they are only 1/2 hour long - oh and she is under the play mobile thingy too. It put them on once a day or once every two days.

If there is a link with ADHD then why are there videos out on the market aimed at young uns?

[freakypenguin]

because people will make money any way they can teadrinker! it's not banned, so people do it! doesn't mean it's good for your baby.

[EffiePerine]

Money, teadrinker. I suspect they are all bollocks, but have never invested in one to find out

OP: 1 hour sounds like a long time for a 3 month old. Would second idea of sling or baby gym. Theya re learning and processing so much at this age - do you really want her to be processing TV rather than e.g. watching you doing stuff?

[TeaDr1nker]

and so now i feel guilty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[BEAUTlFUL]

I wouldn't do it, sorry, and I think I'm quite a slack mother.

[julesmb]

thanks for all your replies! Its just another thing to learn about as a first time mother - I do all the things you've suggested as well, baby gym, walking and talking her round the house, out for an hour a day in the buggy - (I cant carry her in a sling because of a back condition)

now that I have read the links to ADHD I will certainly be looking for other alternatives...

[DisplacementActivity]

Message withdrawn

[NotABanana]

All babies want is you.

You are the best toy.

It does sound daft at first but just chat to your baby about whatever you are doing. They love the sound of your voice and it stops you feeling like you have soken to no one all day!

[julesmb]

Don't get me wrong, I talk to her constantly, count the stairs whilst we are going up and down, sing to her, dance with her... its just that I thought that the more colours she could take on and images she could process - the better. I'm glad I took the time to ask though - because now I know that isn't the case when it comes to the telly...

[NotABanana]

Good on you for taking our advice in the spirit it was meant and not getting defensive.

[dairymoo]

I found that my DTs were mesmerised by the TV, but just as interested in watching the leaves on the trees moving, especially on wet and windy days, so I just used to point their bouncy chairs to look out the window if I needed a few mins to get something done. (Hard to carry two in a sling!!) I know what you mean though, it's hard to know what's 'right' and 'wrong' as a first time mum. I'm learning all the time...

[Meandmyjoe]

You're lucky that at such a young age she is content to even be put down for an hour! At this age my ds was either asleep or feeding or crying to be fed!

I don't think a bit of tv will hurt but in my opinion (I am by no means an expert!) it does seem like a long time for a baby to watch anything without interaction. I wouldn't leave my ds doing something for an hour now without changing the activity or moving rooms to keep the stimulation and excitement. However, I guess it's because he demands costant activity and movement and has never been entertained by anything for more than 15 mins! I would maybe limit it to 20 mins then take her to watch you do housework or whatever while you talk to her/ sing to her.

Is she fairly happy to watch you cook and clean? Maybe get her some of the baby einstein dvds for when she's a bit older so tv can be educational aswell.

[Purplepolecat]

As a social researcher I'd be quite wary of the ADHD link. Poorer households watch much more tv than better off families and are more likely to get landed with an ADHD label. The two aren't necessarily linked - these kind of study rarely account properly for social class differences.

I don't think you should feel guilty. My 5 month old loves Zoo Lane, although I would worry that too much tv might hurt his eyes.

[angel1976]

Oh my gosh, my DS (who turned 3 months a few days ago!) is mesmerised by the TV as well and that is a really recent thing! I don't sit him in front of the TV to watch it but he seems to like it when he sits on my lap while I am watching TV! Mind you, I find it easier now to burp him if I face him towards the TV, he used to scream blue murder every time I burp him! Mind you, I watch crap like Maury and he seems to like sports too when DH puts it on. I felt guilty the other day about it and put Mickey Mouse on (Was completely shocked to find Mickey mouse and co now computer-generated and 3D but I digress...) and he hated it. Heh heh!

[beansprout]

But babies will watch anything on the tv. Ds2 cranes his neck when the news is on, doesn't mean he is a fan of Gordon Brown.

They shouldn't really have any tv until they are at least 2yo.

[BEAUTlFUL]

Hi Angeline!!! DS2 is great, thanks! Hasn';t laughed yet, but smiles constantly. It must be so cute to hear his laugh - aww.