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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Original poster

Sitting in front of TV with baby to feed....

34 replies

shoppingtrolley · 08/02/2013 18:44

In the evenings I often watch TV/films while holding and feeding baby -- but is this bad for her? I would never put her in front of 'baby' TV, but is it bad for her if I am watching something too?

OP posts:
Original poster
shoppingtrolley · 08/02/2013 18:44

Wanted to find out whether other people are doing this! Thanks

OP posts:
Titsalinabumsquash · 08/02/2013 18:45

I do this! It keeps me entertained when I'm feeding DS, he is looking at me or drifting off to sleep most the time he's on the breast anyway, it keeps me sane if anything especially in the cluster feeding days.

Pleasenomorepeppa · 08/02/2013 18:46

I watch TV whilst feeding too. I'm currently watching Peter Pan with DD1 (3.8) & feeding DD2 (2weeks). I'm also on the iPad mumsnetting Grin.

scrivette · 08/02/2013 18:48

Oh yes I always used to was small, it helped to keep me awake!

TeaJunky · 08/02/2013 18:51

Op I do it, because it is mind-numbingly boring doing nothing.

Anything that makes your day easier, I say!

Fairylea · 08/02/2013 18:52

Oh god yes I have two dc and I always have the tv on when they were very little... I would have gone mad otherwise.

SamSmalaidh · 08/02/2013 18:55

I don't think DS really paid any attention to the TV until 5/6 months - at which point I felt I had to stop watching so many serial killer boxsets Grin

Bunbaker · 08/02/2013 18:58

DD used to take 45 minutes each side to feed. Without the TV or a good book I would have died of boredom - do mothers really spend all their time gazing into their babies eyes during feeding?

It didn't do DD any harm - she is 12 now.

leedy · 08/02/2013 18:59

I do it too!

Original poster
shoppingtrolley · 08/02/2013 18:59

I feel better already!

OP posts:
leedy · 08/02/2013 19:05

My sole concern is that my children may think Don Draper is their real dad.

Fairylea · 08/02/2013 19:07

Leedy I have that fear with Jeremy Kyle.

NoodieRoodie · 08/02/2013 19:07

ER got me through the first few months of breastfeeding, I watched the pilot right through to the final ever episode (15 seasons in all!)

DS, 15 months, doesn't seem to have been affected by this, although he does like to put things round his neck in the style of a stethoscope!

Original poster
shoppingtrolley · 08/02/2013 19:12

So all the stuff about TV being bad for kids you often read about in the news -- is that debate about TV programmes designed for babies/kids rather than parents watching it?

OP posts:
Meglet · 08/02/2013 19:15

Nearly all of DD's feeds were in front of the TV as it was the only comfortable chair I could sit in. She is a chatterbox.

SamSmalaidh · 08/02/2013 19:17

A breastfeeding baby isn't exactly looking at the screen though are they, they face the mother - different to a child sitting in front of the screen watching flickering, fast moving images.

shouldIbecrossaboutthis · 08/02/2013 19:17

I don't let me Ds watch TV ever. If I want stimulation whilst breastfeeding I put on Baby Einstein music.

Well that's what my MIL says I should do at any rate! I personally watch whatever I want :)

Bunbaker · 08/02/2013 19:19

I watched the reruns of This Life. Brilliant they were too.

ErikNorseman · 08/02/2013 19:23

What are you supposed to do? It's very hard to read a book while breastfeeding, should you sit in silence staring at the wall?

OhTinky · 08/02/2013 19:24

I bottle fed in front of 90210. Could actually feel my brain cells melting as I got more into each episode! I dont think DD really saw any of it!

itsMYNutella · 08/02/2013 19:27

Phew! Good to know I'm not alone :) my DP did ask me not to let DS (5weeks) look at the TV if I had it on... Honestly he is either looking at my boob or staring at the dark coloured cushion on the sofa next to me.

TwelveLeggedWalk · 08/02/2013 19:28

TV, or MN on iPhone.
I got given a Kindle a few months in which I highly recommend for making reading one-handed easier, but you do have to concentrate, so sometimes ITV2 is what it takes!

intravenouscoffee · 08/02/2013 19:33

With PFB I would only watch family type shows in case she absorbed what was going on and was corrupted by it Blush. With NSC I used to feed whilst watching the Wire. Or sometimes Dexter. What else do you do when they're feeding? Stare at the wall? Think of all the things you could be doing if you weren't pinned to a sofa with a newborn?

Quick note - only did this for evening feeds when the toddler was in bed. We didn't settle down to a quiet afternoon viewing of Dexter decapitating someone.

milk · 08/02/2013 19:53

Watching tv makes one relaxed, and a relaxed mother makes a relaxed baby :)

erikab922 · 08/02/2013 19:53

Oh yes, usually watched Friends as I could watch it without the sound on since I knew them all by heart anyway. Na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na...