how much is too much tv?

[bethdivine]

I know it's subjective and am guessing it's been done to detah on here, but DD is 9wks and DS is suddenly spending a lot of the day watching it (PFB was of course never going to watch tv!)he loves teletubbies, bob, thomas, charlie lola, dora, balamory and literally we sometimes have tv on from time we get downstairs till teatime.
I do try and play when am not feeding, winding or trying to help DD to sleep, but how much tv is normal at this stage?

I'm hoping it's not for too long just whilst DD is getting through this stage! reassure me or tell me i'm a crap mum!

[bethdivine]

obviously i meant done to death!

[ICANDOTHAT]

When they start speaking in an American accent, saying garbage instead of rubbish and vacation instead of holiday Seriously, turn it off and get craft stuff out. Get in the garden with the baby too. Tell him the TV is broken or 'needs a rest'. I know it's really tempting and it can be a great child minder, but it's really not good all day .... take it from someone who knows. Weening my 6yo off the Disney channel made him go cold turkey.

[katedan]

I think it is understandable to have the TV on more that you would normally while your dd is very little and is feeding lots etc. How does DS react when you try to turn telly off? If he has a tantrum then it might be time to reduce telly time a bit. Once you are back on your feet with you two DC's you will find that through appts' activties etc you will be out and about more and the telly won't be DS's main entertainment.

[misshardbroom]

When mine were all tiny, the TV was a lifesaver. But to be honest now it's fine, not really on that much.

On school days they aren't allowed any TV before school. The preschool age ones might have it on for half an hour after lunch but if I'm honest, that's often at my suggestion so I can make some calls for work, they don't usually ask for it.

DD watches about 45 minutes to an hour of TV after school which I don't object to, I like to unwind watching TV so I don't see why she shouldn't. We working now on teaching her to be more discriminate about what she watches.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that a bit of excess TV now won't necessarily rot their brains for life. I think it's more important to look at what they're watching. There's a lot of rubbish on, but there's also some really good, decent quality broadcasting for children. My DD when she was 4 came to me and asked if she could make a mosaic. As I was getting out little squares of coloured paper, glue etc. I asked her if they'd been talking about mosaics at nursery. She said no, she'd seen it on 'Bob the Builder'.

[GrimmaTheNome]

It depends. It probably isn't too bad if you're there with him some of the time and can talk to him about what he's watching (eg sit down with him while feeding baby). Also, does he just sit and watch or do other stuff at the same time - play with lego or whatever is appropriate for his age.

Is he getting enough physical exercise - if not then I would seriously encourage bouncing on the sofa.

[bethdivine]

oh thanks, he does toddle off and do other stuff whilst it's on sometimes and he'd much rather be playing outside if he gets the chance, so I'll just carry on as we are and hopeit reduces as DD settles into a routine, cheers.

[scrummymum]

TBH , my DD went through phases before she started school. Sometimes it was on most of the day (although, she didn't sit and watch it all of the time, lost count of the times that the TV was on in the living room and she was in the playroom, garden, bedroom etc), sometimes it didn't go on all day. I can't see how their brains are going to turn to mush with a bit of tv. My DD learnt to count to 5 in spanish (thanks to Dora) by the time she was 4.

Now she is at school, she can watch it for about half an hour in the morning and about an hour in the evening. She doesn't always take up the offer, especially in the summer when she can be outside.

Don't worry about it. Most of the people who say that it isn't good for them, are IMO non tv watchers themselves. I like watching TV so it would be a bit two faced if I didn't let my DC watch it.

[goingnowherefast]

give yourself a break - you have a tiny baby too. Plenty of time for worrying about that when you've sorted yourselves out a bit.
You can gradually cut it down when you are ready.