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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To put my four month old in front of the TV?

31 replies

Babywatchingtelly · 06/12/2023 17:12

Not quite as bad as it sounds, but am I impeding my four month olds development by letting her sit in a bouncy chair and watch TV as her siblings watch it after a day at school? I hope not …

OP posts:
AdoraBell · 06/12/2023 17:13

How long for? If it’s to give you time for a break and have a tea or eat then it’s okay.

justasking111 · 06/12/2023 17:14

My DIL put some your tube stuff on especially for young babies, black and white circles moving across a black screen with relaxing music.

TheShellBeach · 06/12/2023 17:15

I don't see why not if it gives you twenty minutes peace.

Mummymummy89 · 06/12/2023 17:16

It's completely fine imo, she won't understand or remember any of it. But she'll feel and share the emotions of her siblings enjoying watching.

Other commenters will probably come and cite research that shows TV isn't beneficial before 2 years old but I do think those kind of studies are a bit flawed; as long as you're interacting enough at other times and TV doesn't replace interaction, I reckon it's fine.

If anything, this way she probably gets more interaction (from her siblings) than if you put her in the bouncer in the kitchen while you cook

Original poster
Babywatchingtelly · 06/12/2023 17:17

definitely a fair bit longer than 20 minutes!

Dont get me wrong, we do other stuff as well but after school / nursery no one’s up for doing much in the run up to bed.

OP posts:
Floopani · 06/12/2023 17:18

My now 18yo was obsessed with Baby Einstein and StoryMakers from about 4 months old, it gave me an bit of time each evening to have tea. They have turned out fine, if a little obsessed with YouTube and TikTok like most teenagers!

Chocoswirl · 06/12/2023 17:18

I really would not recommend it.

steff13 · 06/12/2023 17:19

I mean, I wouldn't do it for an extended period of time. But if you need 20 minutes to take a shower or 30 minutes to cook dinner or whatever, then I think it's fine.

AnneLovesGilbert · 06/12/2023 17:19

Put the bouncer facing the older kids instead of the tv. Or in front of a window.

Original poster
Babywatchingtelly · 06/12/2023 17:20

What else should she do @Chocoswirl - genuine sort of question? Not meant challengingly.

OP posts:
Youthinkyoureuniqueyourejustastatistic · 06/12/2023 17:20

They’ll be fine.
You could put them in front of the washing machine instead of that makes the “no screen” people feel better 😂

dixeypeach · 06/12/2023 17:20

I did with mine at that age

Jacfrost · 06/12/2023 17:21

Chocoswirl · 06/12/2023 17:18

I really would not recommend it.

Edited

Why not?

OP my DD was watching a lot of cbeebies at that age in her Jumperoo, it's fine. She's at grammar school now, didn't do her intelligence or development any harm.

Original poster
Babywatchingtelly · 06/12/2023 17:21

Well, the older ones tend to stand in front of the TV so if I faced her another way she’d be looking at a wall.

I should probably organise something more structured than TV in the 5-6 time slot but no one’s really up for it, including me!

OP posts:
Toottooot · 06/12/2023 17:21

In the real world of course it’s fine. On here you’ll have folk tell you their geets are 17 years old and niver seen telly afore.

Original poster
Babywatchingtelly · 06/12/2023 17:22

That’s a relief @Jacfrost Smile

OP posts:
Paddleboarder · 06/12/2023 17:22

Pretty sure my baby watched TV every day at that age. I can't really remember, but his sibling used to come home from school and watch TV on and off up until dinner time. There is a large age gap and the baby used to love being in the same room as his brother and watching what he was doing, which was generally something like drawing at the same time as watching. Even if I was there too the TV was still on. We worry a lot about these things nowadays, but the TV was always on in the evening in my house as a child. There is only so much you can do anyway when there are other older children in the house.

Original poster
Babywatchingtelly · 06/12/2023 17:22

@justasking111 the older children wouldn’t like that though, and I’m not sure I’d be putting on TV for her specifically if you see what I mean. It’s just it happens to be on and she’s there.

OP posts:
PrimalLass · 06/12/2023 17:22

YANBU. My child was bored from the day he was born and a kick on his mat in front of Beebies transformed his day and saved my sanity.

He's at university now studying accountancy so is doing ok ...

Coconutter24 · 06/12/2023 17:33

Babywatchingtelly · 06/12/2023 17:21

Well, the older ones tend to stand in front of the TV so if I faced her another way she’d be looking at a wall.

I should probably organise something more structured than TV in the 5-6 time slot but no one’s really up for it, including me!

An hour won’t hurt, mine used to watch tv and are all absolutely fine.

PinkPlantCase · 06/12/2023 17:34

If you must then on a mat so baby can move around more would be better than in a bouncer

Justfinking · 06/12/2023 17:36

I wouldn't a four month old really doesn't need TV and it's like crack to them so the more they watch, the more they will want to (speaking from experience). I doubt it's good for them either. Why can't you just put them so they're looking outside a window?

PrimalLass · 06/12/2023 17:37

Because it's dark at 4pm?

Original poster
Babywatchingtelly · 06/12/2023 17:44

PrimalLass · 06/12/2023 17:37

Because it's dark at 4pm?

It would also mean I either had the older ones in a different room to me or the baby.

OP posts: