Baby Einstein at 5 months - feeling GUILTY!!!!!

[MissyBabee]

just put on new dvd of baby einstein (van gogh, colours) and DD of 5 months is transfixed, even laughing and getting excited. suddenly feeling really guilty? Last thing i want is a child that watches tonnes of TV and i've gone and started her off at 5 months...

anyone have any views on this?

i know, but i AM sitting here on MN...

right, it's bathtime - tv off methinks!

Depends on whether you're using the time to make nourishing organic purees in preparation for weaning, or to meet your lover.

I can remember the age - about 3 months - when DD became absorbed in Baby Mozart and almost punching the air with delight. She was always hard to entertain. One of the other mums I knew was shocked when I said she watched it; she said that babies weren't meant to see a TV screen before the age of two as it damaged their eyes. LOL. Honestly, my LO is bright and I'm sure it was the music that did it. I always tried to resist the temptation 'Repeat Play' on the DVD. Have to say, I know a lot more about classical music too now!

Don't be daft! Did you buy it hoping she'd watch it slumped in boredom? It's not just 'telly', it's specialist telly (she says, sounding liek the M&S ad) designed to stimulate small children without overwhelming them. Clearly works for your baby! Enjoy!

LOL cakehead, love the name too!

definitely helps that she is enjoying it. at least i know her eyes work i guess

Get a treasure basket instead

She will adore it and it will keep her occupied for ages as long as you sit with her while she explores.

My kids treat my whole house as a treasure basket! Baby einstein is great. Don't consider it entertainment, consider it 'education' and it will make you feel better

LOL at treasure basket, i think i hae one of those in every cupboard in the house, I call them junk boxes.

what about a walk outside - all the lovely leaf colours. No need for tv.

BCT mum - the trees and weather are lovely in Belgium at the moment aren't they.

I foolishly resisted the lure of the Baby Einstein at first but my DH, a wise and skilled soul in the art of parenting had no such qualms and fully understands the education benefit of strapping DS into his bouncy seat on repeat play for a minimum of half an hour to ensure maximum learning capacity is reached.

I now use it occasionally and yes we all know its not the same as taking them out for bracing walks & playing tickling games, but there are about 10 waking Rookiebaby hours in the day, I can't possibly fill all of them with prime mummy based entertainment.

Oh I also recommend getting the sign and sing dvd - see your baby learn sign language whilst watching the tv.

LOL KathyMCM about the use of time...

I buy a Baby Mozart dvd for every new parent I know! Its fantastic.

I mean, after you've done the nice walk outside and played pat-a-cake and watched the washing machine go round, and let them swallow stuff from your junk box, you've still got a good 8 hours left, and you can only spend about 4 of those breastfeeding... I used to put it on during the early-evening screaming period, for half-an-hour's respite.

Have to laugh at the treasure box site - great idea, but it says for babies from four months. And then every single baby in their photos is sitting up delving into the box. Ds was 9 months before he could sit, and even then he fell over if he tried any delving.

Thanks for the treasure box idea FrannyandZooey, going to make one tomorrow.

That will be just after I surf ebay for baby einstein dvd's .

I'll do anything for a 10 minute break from entertaining.

yes, lovers and purreeing aside, does mning get me off the hook?

yep, it was the half hour, early evening pre-bath scream-time i was trying to overcome
going to check the treasure basket link now.

LOL, hilarious! and to think this week i've been gathering junk from around my house and putting it in piles Charity or Bin

I would DREAM to see ds2, 17 months old, been interrested in TV. He never watches it... I sometimes would give anything to have 1/2 hour of peace and quiet TBH.

BabyDragon loves her treasure basket. She empties it all over the carpet in approximately 10 seconds and then goes to eat fake coal from the fireplace.

WWJ, they are all on ebay. somone's doing 'authentic' box sets of 20 titles for bargain price.

hang on, i start off feeling guilty and now i'm promoting where you can find them cheap???? outrageous

seriously though, just went up to try and settle DD and put her light show on and then thought 'what difference is there between that and the tv?'

hiya,
what would you put into a treasure basket for a 4 month old baby. struggling to think of stuff that wouldn't be dangerous

guilty?! jeez, my dd loves baby beethoven, and baby van gogh now too! she's 4 months old. gives me 20 minutes peace thank you very much.

Re treasure baskwt - I'm sure there's a toilet brush in that picture that is at least part made of plastic.