Is it OK for baby to see the TV ocassionally?

[Eggplant19]

I’ve read that babies shouldn’t have any ‘screen’ time until 18 months (which I completely agree with I’m never going to give him an iPad or my phone etc) BUT the guidance goes for the TV. The coolest room in my house is the lounge (where the TV is( and he gets so distracted by it and sometimes I would quite like to watch something whilst getting him down for a nap but I constantly have to have my back in the other direction. Surely people rocked their babies to sleep in the 90s with their TVs on?? Am I being paranoid?? Will it be fine to see whatever I’m watching whilst walking him round the lounge?

You’re overthinking, but if he gets distracted by it I’m not sure that having it on while you get him down for a nap would work.

Agree with pp. Babies aren’t going to spontaneously combust if they see TV - I did most feeds in front of the TV. But it isn’t going to help you get him to sleep.

getting a baby to nap can be insanely boring I know. Headphones with a podcast?

It is fine for a baby to occasionally be in the room while the tv is on of course. But it’s a bad idea when you’re trying to get him to sleep. It might help to be in a dark and quiet room so he associates it with sleep time if you’re struggling with naptimes.

(also, kindly, try not to stress out too much about saying ‘never’ about parenting. You’re just at the beginning, never is an awfully long time!)

Yes it’s fine.

I agree with PP, the real danger is the baby being distracted by the TV and not sleeping. My DC took ages to go down for naps and it is a very dull and sometimes stressful process. I used to put headphones on and listen to something like an audiobook or a funny podcast while trying to get DC to nap.

Yeah don’t worry. Both mine saw lots of tv since birth. DC1 was born in lockdown so no way would i have sat there all day without tv.

Thanks all - yes that’s right about the napping. I usually do it upstairs in our bedroom with the black out blinds because he is easily distracted at nearly 4 months!

but it is toooo hot in the heat upstairs recently so I did try and nap him rocking him in the lounge yesterday facing him away from the TV whilst I was watching it very quietly and then wondered whether it was ok to walk around which gets him to sleep but I think he would get distracted

it just got me wondering whether occasional TV watching ( when he’s awake) is bad if I happen to be watching something briefly just to sit down

I am so glad to know other people put their headphones in. I’ve been doing this for weeks listening to music and rocking to the beat lol because sometimes he fights the sleep and cries quite loudly so the music is a de-stressor for me

It's fine, just have it on low, not blaring out.

No it’s not ok to have on. as soon as they see screens then it’s down hill, just like as soon as they have sugary things.
why would you put a very stimulating visual on when you’re trying to get baby to sleep.
my son rolled over for the first time at about four months as we were visiting relatives and he rolled over so he could see their tv that was on!
Radio with talking for while noise or a podcast would help you maybe?

you’re right! Never is a strong word

No. They will melt into a puddle.

Of course it's okay. The question is what constitutes 'occasionally' and whether or not the time of day is disruptive for the baby's routine.

Ours watched loads of age appropriate tv
and I had tv on when breast feeding - nothing thrilling just midsummer murders type stuff

they are now a’level stem/gcse predicted 10 A grade students, emotionally intelligent, kind, fun, polite, learning to drive, part time jobs, volunteer etc etc etc they can regulate their screen usage basically

friend reception child no Tv in house, school have suggested going on wait list for ND assessment

TV is not the problem just be sensible
in fact it’s a godsend when they catch chicken pox!

I am so glad this wasn't a worry I had 30 years ago!
Both my kids have grown into well adjusted, functioning adults, unaffected by the TV being watched

It’s totally fine OP. Like others have said during nap time might not work, but generally dont think any damage will happen if the baby occasionally see’s a bit of TV!

I'll be honest mine saw loads. Didn't do them any harm. They're both well adjusted adults and lovely.

Mines 20 months and has watched a bit of tv most days for months now. The government guidance is designed to stop excessive screen time and where it stops children being spoken to / read to / play outside. Think about all the younger siblings who watch tv as their old sibling does so.

Mine watched tv and have had phones handed to them and they are both absolutely lovely, well regulated and adjusted kids. Watch the tv when he’s sleeping and chill. I used to binge Netflix while breastfeeding, heaven.

I used to surf the sport channels (H paid for sky sports football obviously) when breast feeding and there is live sport going on at some point across the globe 24/7
I mean it might just be netball in canada or hockey or whatever
it was fascinating
or perhaps I was just losing my sleep starved mind!

I watched loads of Cbeebies with mine. I would have gone mad if I hadn’t. I also got out loads walking her around, park, nature, playgroups.