Television and Baby

[Bathtime17]

In my on going quest to feel anxious/guilty about my parenting style, I just wanted to ask if you let your baby have much screen time?

My son is 6 months old. Often I am alone at home with him and for company I have the tv in the background. I like the noise and it makes me feel like others are in the room. Sometimes I have it on the CBeebies channel and my son happily watches it while playing with toys.

My partner says I should keep the tv off and it could be harming his development but to be honest, it's a long time alone with a baby and sometimes I need the distraction!

I should stress we also read books, go for walks and play together. But I admit the tv is on for quite a bit.
What do you guys think? Do you do the same or am I harming my baby's development?

I doubt you're harming his development but I have the same worries so I only have the tv on for around half an hour in the morning and maybe for 20 mins or so in the afternoon if I need a breather. We've been watching Little Baby Bum on Netflix so I don't see the harm as it's educational. I wouldn't out him in front of the tv all day but I do totally get what you mean about the days being long!!

Oh my god he absolutely loves Little Baby Bum. I hear it in my nightmares. Thanks for your reply, I guess I should ration the tv a bit!

If I'm home, I have the telly on, but on my programmes not CBeebies. I'd go crazy with nothing to watch/listen to in the background. My LG is 15 weeks and I do find her occasionally watching the TV, but it's only for a few minutes, as I suppose it's light and movement.

She does watch ITNG before bed but that's the only time I sit her in front of the telly (sometimes I watch it with her, sometimes she's by herself while I have a quick whip round the house).

Having it on in the background won't harm her development, especially when you're playing with her anyway.

It does mean that my LG has watched Better Call Saul and Line of Duty recently...