Letting baby watch tv

[enchantmentandlove]

Dd is 2 months old, and I've started letting her watch a little tv when I'm pumping.

I'm unable to bf so mix feed instead, expressing some milk and ff what I'm unable to express as my supply is quite low. While Dh is at work he watches her while I pump, but I was really struggling to pump while it's just dd and I. She is a very cuddly baby and doesn't like being put down, so I found I ended up pumping for less time or sometimes even skipping pumping sessions before I let her watch a little tv.

I've tried holding her on one side and pumping the other side, but that doesn't really work as she's too wriggly. I've tried the bouncer and play gym (sitting next to her/playing with her) but these never keep her happy for the whole pumping session and can be tricky while I'm pumping. I've also tried pumping when she's asleep but she almost always seems to wake up! - as well as music, toys and pretty much everything I can think of.

She doesn't watch much, during the week maybe 15-30 minsa day (I obviously pump more than this but try the other methods as much as I can) of peppa pig or Ben & holly. I know she doesn't really understand what's going on but she seems to like the colours and music. I'm just feeling guilty but this seems to really help, as otherwise she won't stop crying while I'm trying to pump.

I am wondering if anyone here has let their baby watch a little tv? Is it really that bad? Thank you.

[enchantmentandlove]

That should read 'while Dh is at home'

[PeekAtChu]

I used to put DD in the bumbo to watch in the night garden from a few months old so I could get some housework done around her. She was happy and it doesn't seem to have done her any harm.

[DropYourSword]

My baby watches TV and comes to the cinema with me weekly. Keeps me sane!

[NoCapes]

Mostly I'm just jealous that your baby will watch tv!
Mine is 9 months and I keep trying but he's just not interested
My house is a shit hole

[enchantmentandlove]

Haha! She won't watch it for long, just short bursts which I've found really helpful.

It's nice to see I'm not alone. I made the mistake of googling it and felt like an awful mum who is going to damage her child!

[DropYourSword]

I don't even have kids TV on for him. And he watches horror movies with his dad! He is only 3.5 months though. Will definitely stop this before he's old enough to actual to it in.
Although I'm not sure how old that is exactly?

[NickyEds]

When dd was born ds was 19 months old and there were a few times she would sit and watch TV whilst I dealt with her brother! There's nothing wrong with it IMHO. It's not that bad at all!

[ElodieS]

I would have thought it's fine at that age - I used to have documentaries and boxsets on when I was BF-ing DTs often. They didn't really get into kid's TV until after I'd stopped BF-ing, then it was limited along with other TV and screen time.

[MrsDilligaf]

If I couldn't plonk DD (25 weeks) in front of the telly for a bit I'd never get anything done. She's a big fan of Bing Bunny and squeals with delight when it's on.

In short bursts it's fine.

[twinmom90]

Jeez my twins 5 month old don't like TV at all! They get more entertainment watching me but that only lasts for a bit before they want me . If they watched me pump though it would probably make them hungry

[enchantmentandlove]

When she's older I'm sure it's something I'll be more consious of, but for now it's really helping.

I felt I had three options:

1. Don't pump during the day, but dd will get less breast milk as well as possible issues for me (I've had blocked milk ducts not nice!)
   
2. Leave tv off while I pump but leave dd screaming a crying for at least half of it
   
3. What I'm doing
   

Different parents may make different choices as to what's best, but Ivpersonally think this is what's best for now for us both

[BexusSugarush]

My 7mo watches theme songs to TV shows but other than that she shows little interest in the TV. Even the shows designed specifically for babies don't amuse her! No harm in letting bubs watch a bit of TV - I'm pretty sure the recommended guideline was no more than 20 -30 minutes a day for kids under 3.

[FireflyGirl]

I admire you for managing this! I struggled to pump for more than 6 weeks! Needs must, and if you need to pump and she won't settle whilst you do it unless the TV is on, so be it.

Yes, in an ideal world, none of our babies would watch TV. In reality, we need to get things done. As long as she's not plonked in front of it for hours at a timeto entertain herself, you're not going to do her any harm!

[bittapitta]

Yabu for putting kids TV on for a 2mo! Put on something you enjoy eg crap reality TV. When she's older you won't be able to do that

[kiki22]

Mine loved the soaps especially when they shouted at each other he used to shout back 😂

[LilacSpunkMonkey]

Teletubbies used to calm DD when she was a baby.

She's 14 now. I wonder if it would still work...

[Heirhelp]

Put the news on. Babies think the presenter is talking to them.

[Timetogrowup2016]

Dd 6 months loves Jeremy Kyle. She laughs at it

[Packergator]

Ha ha, I was a 'no TV' preacher, and then I actually had my baby...adding it to the ever-growing list of things I said I'd 'never do' when I was pregnant: you do what you have to to get shit done, frankly!

[ChipsCheeseandIrnBru]

My baby is three months old. He "watched" Dangermouse this morning while I drank a cup of tea to feel human again.



My toddler was actually watching it.

.

But my toddler is a total genius so I reckon it's fine

[crayfish]

I wish my one year old would watch tv! He's not interested. Give him an iPad though...

I think it's fine, pumping is the devil and whatever you have to do to make it work then do it. I gave up pumping at six-weeks (couldn't bf) as it was too too hard. Well done for persevering.

[jobrum]

When my dd was a couple of months old she loved an advert for "Funding Circle", had lots of colourful spunning wheels on a white background. If I'd been able to record it and play it on loop I would have... ah TV, where would my sanity be without you.

[bigfriendlygiant]

I used to put in the night garden on in the morning so I could cleanup breakfast stuff and have a hot cup of tea. It worked from about 5 months - 8 months but unfortunately, at 10 months, Iggle Piggle doesn't hold his attention anymore.
Enjoy the brief peace while you're pumping!

[enchantmentandlove]

Thank you everyone! And I'm feeling a bit less guilty now :)
Ahh I do hate pumping, but I'm determined!

[AlfieandAnnieRose]

On YouTube they have baby sensory tv, you might feel less guilty if you think it's educational?! Plus your baby will love it
Some tv's have a YouTube channel or an app built in which is handy as well.