How much tv is too much for a 15 month old

[Cupcakemummy85]

My dd is nearly 15 months and has been ill this week so I've let her watch her absolute favourite peppa pig. It's been on pretty much non stop. I do try and play with her but obviously being ill she isn't really in the mood to play. She does do her own thing for a bit and then watches it. I used to watch tv as a child and it didn't do anything to me but I worry as my mother in law beloved children should be outside playing and won't let my dd watch any tv what so ever in her house. How much does everyone else's children watch. My dd is a bit of a nightmare ill, won't eat much, complains all the time, standard for a child so tv does keep her happy.

You're very resistant Rubirosa.
Google babies development tv.

I have read the links posted on this thread and all the evidence is very inconclusive Lambethlil - unless you can point me to something that demonstrates cause and effect?

Actually no. I can't be arsed. Your babies your choice. If you choose to look at this as an intellectual exercise in point scoring rather than an opportunity to learn something that will benefit your dcs why on earth should I put myself out. Massive denial.

Blimey I feel like an awful parent now (not read the entire thread though). DD is 19 MO. I admit I'm increasingly sticking on her dvd cbeebies as it's the only time I can get anything done (get ready for work, do the dishwasher etc). She often watches maybe 10 minutes when she wakes up, then watches cbeebies whilst she has breakfast (and lunch) and afterwards for 10 mins or so whilst I clear up. She sometimes watches a couple of programs in the afternoon too whilst I get dinner on.

I have to say on a developmental point of view - I don't know about long term obviously but she has watched a baby sign language DVD since she was little every now and again and has learnt most of her baby signing (which she still uses mixed with speech) from watching the DVD - it's been amazing how she's picked things up - she knows more signs than I do! She also seems bright for her age and isn't backward.

I had no idea on the 30 minutes thing though so I admit I will probably try to cut down. Before I had DD i was all 'she will never watch tv' too . I guess TV when I was growing up was always very restricted by my parents and because of that I was a bit of a telly addict when I became old enough to control it for myself. My logic was if I am freer with DD (obviously not non stop all the time) it might not be so exciting/so much of a big deal to watch IYKWIM.

Don't feel like an awful parent reastie - despite all the hysterical postings apparently no one can be arsed to present any actual evidence that TV is harmful Not interacting with your DD, not talking to her and giving her opportunities for active and creative play, putting TV on as she goes to sleep - that can be damaging. But a bit of Cbeebies? I haven't seen any evidence of harm.

Yes, there will always be some extremes of children plonked in front of the TV all day, MTV on full blast with no adult interaction, DVD players in cots - but to pluck guidelines out of thin air on the basis of that and berate parents for letting sick toddlers watch some Peppa Pig is ridiculous.

And maybe in another 50 years we'll understand the correct use of the apostrophe.

With you all the way Rubirosa.

Yes, you're right, there are extremes of things. Often DD and I watch TV together and sing along to songs/do actions together/cook things from I can cook etc etc - that's not just plonking a child in front of TV and ignoring them to get no social/developmental skills I hope . They'll always be people of the strong view one way or another I suppose

Moderation in all things is a good mantra, but in this situation the research suggests even a little exposure is harmful for young children.
It's near impossible to implement a no screen rule if you have older children. However not having it on as background is doable.

Research doesn't suggest that at all Lambethlil, at least none of the research posted on this thread does. It suggests that a lack of interaction with adults and limited opportunity for active and creative play is damaging to a child's development, but nothing to suggest that TV itself is damaging.

I don't agree with you lambethlil but your posts are by far the most convincing and eloquent on this thread. What I do agree with you about is your dislike of those people who trot out statements like "ds can say monkey in Spanish" or "dd learned to count to ten". Whoop-di-effing do. My ds can recite the lyrics of Spandeau Ballet's 'Gold' but it doesn't mean it shows anything impressive about him, other than he has a good memory.

My ds (now 3) has watched tv since about 15 months. He liked the music and images and, although it didn't benefit him particularly, it was a nice, pleasant way to spend time with him at the end of the day. It's still a big part of his life but so is spending time playing, visiting new places, playdates with his mates etc. I'm under no illusion it's of any discernible long term benefit to him, but it gives him some daily quiet time (he is incapable of playing at any speed less than full tilt) and he likes it.

I probably would err on the side of preferring him to watch less rather than more, but I don't feel guilty about his screen time. Dh and I play with him a lot, he paints, bakes and gets muddy on a near-daily basis. He goes out at least once a day, if not twice, to the park, or the woods or the river. It's not about 'moderation', it's about variation.

My DSis was a researcher with Dr Sally Ward, no TV before 2 in my house!

Some people need to calm down on here (grin) all the op said was that she's letting her sick dd watch a but more peppa pig than usual and he dd watches a bit in the morning.

Now assuming that her dd is healthy and not strapped down and eyes being forced open, I cant magine a child of that age actually sitting down as watching the tv for the WHOLE time. she probably watches it intermittently while playing with toys/reading/chasing mummy around and pulling out the things mummy put away.

My dd is 14months and I put the tv on for her in the morning while I'm tidying/making breakfast. Now this is not to mean the WHOLE morning, just for an hour or so before we head out. She likes to have a dance to the shows jingle and then doesn't really bother to look at it until again until she hears some sort of song or music.

I don't think more than Half hour tv hurts at all.