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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

8 month old obsessed with tv

30 replies

Armywifelife · 03/09/2015 10:07

I really need some advice as I'm feeling like a rubbish mum. Over a few months my DS who is 8 months has just become addicted to the tv to the point where if it's not on something he likes (anything other than finding Nemo) or switched off he has a proper tantrum and will not stop crying. He plays with his toys etc and is a very happy baby. He has also always been very laid back, likes to sleep/rest a lot and tires quite quickly when I play with him. Some of my friend's babies don't even pay any attention to the tv which makes me feel like I've failed him as he loves it so much.
I believe it started when he was younger and I used to watch friends a lot but I always figured he was too young to notice but it's got so out of hand now. Someone please help me!

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Artandco · 03/09/2015 10:10

Just turn the TV off in the day? Sorry but they can only like it if it's on

Use radio for background noise if you want

Original poster

Armywifelife · 03/09/2015 10:22

I have obviously tried that but if it's not on he just constantly screams and I have tried everything to make him stop but he just won't and there's only so long I can listen to him screaming and sobbing!

OP posts:

Artandco · 03/09/2015 10:25

Can you keep it off whilst he's awake and spend as much time outside as possible for the next few weeks so he forgets about it?

Can you move TV to different room?

NickyEds · 03/09/2015 10:43

I agree with Art- just turn it off!

Jo4040 · 03/09/2015 10:49

Hmmmm....I can see a career forming here... Television critic

What about turning the volume lower and lower for a couple of hours untill slowly its on mute...then his attention will be in something else, then you can hopefully turn it off

poocatcherchampion · 03/09/2015 10:51

Really??

I used to watch TV while bf and the newborns barely noticed.

Just turn it off now and forget about it. Are you sure that is what is making him cry?

ShadowLine · 03/09/2015 10:51

Going out lots - away from the TV at home - sounds like a good suggestion, if he gets used to playing without a TV nearby he may not demand it as much at home.

How many TVs do you have at home? Is it possible to spend more time in rooms at home without a TV? E.g. we only have a TV in the living room, so if we went upstairs to play in the DCs bedroom, or into the conservatory to play with toys there, we wouldn't be able to watch TV at the same time.

If going cold turkey on TV in rooms with a TV doesn't work, how about gradually reducing the length of time it's on? Maybe try doing a game or activity before the TV goes on, so he doesn't notice it being off as much?

Original poster

Armywifelife · 03/09/2015 10:53

we are out every morning/lunch time during the week at baby groups and other activities and go swimming every afternoon (live in a hot country) so I suppose it's not like we are stuck in all day every day watching it I think it's just worst when he's tired late afternoon and it's hard to entertain him when he's like that and too late for a nap. He goes to bed at 6pm every night as I cant physically keep him up longer than that.
I would just take him for a walk in his pushchair but it's just too hot here at the moment and if he's in it for 5 minutes he's sweating and uncomfortable.

OP posts:

anklebitersmum · 03/09/2015 10:57

Turn it off and go out. Find an alternative place to be for a while, it'll change his routine so he's distracted for the initial 'cold turkey' phase. Bet there's somewhere on patch if you look.

My Nan told me that I had to be 'in charge' by the time my first one was 6 months old. I thought she was having a senior moment. Turns out she was dead right.

He's only screaming and sobbing until you give in. Trust me when I say that he'll only get louder and more determined as he gets older. Babies are sharp when it comes to getting what they want.. my middle two could smell a 'weak' babysitter at 100 paces as teeny toddlers

anklebitersmum · 03/09/2015 11:02

cross posted, sorry! If it's only tv when he's tired and irritable then I'd be a bit less flappy about it, tbh. Maybe pop 'baby tv' on or an Attenborough documentary if you're worried about naff programming

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 03/09/2015 11:12

What about playing music instead?

Other than that, I think you just have to go cold turkey, if you want to stop this behaviour.

Original poster

Armywifelife · 03/09/2015 11:21

I'm 100% sure that's why he's crying poo because if I turn it back on he starts laughing/smiling again and tantrums again if I turn it off!
We only have a tv in the living room and our bedroom so might start taking him to his room for a bit of playtime to get him used to not having the tv on. i guess I could always just go out in the car or to the shop to distract him too. Thanks for all advice it's made me think a bit clearer! I don't normally tend to give in too easily as he is very determined to get what he wants at all times but it's the one thing I've been stuck with and keep caving in to.

I feel stupid as I realise it's simple but it just hasn't seemed that simple as it turns in to a nightmare. We will go cold turkey and hope for the best (just gone cold turkey on the dummy so hopefully it will turn out as successful.

OP posts:

OhYeahMama · 03/09/2015 11:32

Turn it off and maybe put some music on/dance round the room with him?

Squidiot · 03/09/2015 11:39

Turn the telly off and give him the dummy back. Honestly, he's eight months old. Sort your priorities!

Loraline · 03/09/2015 11:52

If it's an issue in the evening when he's tired then how about going into the bedroom and looking at some books? Always worked with DS at that age (and still does now he's over 2). He won't have to 'play' which you said he's too tired to do.

Original poster

Armywifelife · 03/09/2015 12:05

Squidiot why on earth would I give him his dummy back what a ridiculous suggestion. That is clearly not the answer to my problem. He is actually happier without his dummy now as he is constantly settled rather than needing the dummy and sleeps through the night which means he is a lot happier so your telling me that's not a high priority to help my child sleep better?
He is obviously my priority hence why I've asked for advice but I don't think watching 2 hours of TV a day makes me the worlds worst mother...but yeah thanks for your input

OP posts:

discountamazingamy · 03/09/2015 15:08

Hi OP,

I understand you don't like it when he cries but he will get over it if you are strict about it. Babies don't really hold a grudge if you say NO to something like telly and he will quickly move onto the next thing if you say no for a couple of days. If you want to watch it maybe you can watch when he is in bed/during his nap time.

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 03/09/2015 15:48

I do wonder if music/the radio would be helpful in weaning him off his TV watching - he would still have some input - but just sound, not sound and pictures. Is there such a thing as a Disney Finding Nemo audiobook?

Jo4040 · 03/09/2015 16:11

Aww bless him. He sounds v cute OP. I know its not cute to you any more, but don't worry about being a bad mum

Original poster

Armywifelife · 03/09/2015 18:24

Thanks Jo4040 he is very cute I'm so proud of him! I was in tears to DH when he got home but he reassured me that I'm doing a good job so Im feeling positive. I tried the radio this afternoon when we were playing just quietly then again instead of tv after his tea and it worked quite well! He kept glancing at the TV but was actually happy to play with me and watch the dogs run around the garden for an hour and a half and ended up watching 20 mins of Nemo before his bath/bed so I think we will be fine. He had a Nemo teddy posted to us the other day from MIL and he giggles at it like he recognises him so maybe puppet shows from behind the sofa whilst I reel off the entire script of the film I know it backwards could be a winner too!

OP posts:

Jo4040 · 03/09/2015 18:55

You had a cry? Awww don't be silly. Iv got a 8 month old boy too and some days he gets so board I just don't know how to constantly entertain him! The puppet show behind the Sofa sounds like a plan!

I wonder what he likes about finding nemo! It's not even like there are any songs/music in it. Must be the colours.

I could think of worst films to know of by heart hehe

Iggly · 03/09/2015 18:57

Maybe he is just tired and tv distracts him as opposed to him crying for the TV.....

anklebitersmum · 04/09/2015 01:17

He's watching Nemo? Well that explains it

Number two son used to scale the bookshelves like spiderman to get to Nemo at 18 months old.

Just keep swimming..

Squidiot · 04/09/2015 09:53

Well, well done for ditching the dummy and I'm pleased he's happier without it. But if you were tough on the dummy, why do you have a problem with switching the TV off in the day?

Two hours of TV a day at 8 months old is way way way too much. Just switch it off, deal with the tantrum for a day to two and get it sorted.

Apologies if I sound abrupt but your thread title '8 month old obsessed with TV' just gets me. Then lots of posters tell you to just switch the bloody thing off and then you get all defensive that the poor poppet is going to be distressed.

He's 8 months old! Just switch it off- you are the adult, remember?

Baconyum · 04/09/2015 10:00

What squidiot said! You're gonna have to toughen up, this is nothing compared to terrible twos, boundary pushing at primary school age, teenage tantrums... You need to be in charge starting right now!

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