Active discussions

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Parenting

For free parenting resources please check out the Early Years Alliance's Family Corner.

Original poster

2 month old screen time.

50 replies

charlottecruz · 11/04/2022 13:41

Before anything I know screen time is bad for babies, but I often find that when my 10 week baby is on my lap or on his bouncer, his attention will often divert to the tv and focus on it.

What can I do to break this focus he has on the tv? And from what age did you let your little ones have screen time?

Thank you!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
DailySheetWasher · 11/04/2022 13:42

You could switch it off?

C25kBecky · 11/04/2022 13:42

Turn it off? Have the radio on instead.

doggyweewee · 11/04/2022 13:43

I don't think accidental screen is really too bad.

I think it's more the intentional pie the baby with the screen and leave them alone that's the issue..

My 10 month old will watch the occasional cocomelon song but DS was around 2 or 3 when he would watch the occasion show. It's all about being well rounded and having lots of communication and play time too. DS spoke very well very early and is very bright- so it did no harm!

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

0-3 months old Babies & sleep Families General parenting
Houseplantmad · 11/04/2022 13:46

From around 4. They're now 21 and 19. We're away on holiday and I'm so happy that we can eat together and have interesting conversations without them feeling the need to be on their phones or to be entertained all the time.

HalloHello · 11/04/2022 13:51

I just turned the bouncer to face the sofa rather than the TV. I don't think it's so bad because you're not leaving baby to watch TV rather than interacting with them.

nearlyspringyay · 11/04/2022 13:52

Turn it off or turn them around,

floridapalmtree · 11/04/2022 13:54

No tv before age two in our house

AnneLovesGilbert · 11/04/2022 13:55

Face him away from it or turn it off when he’s awake. I watched plenty of tv when mine was napping or feeding and couldn’t see anything.

Favourodds · 11/04/2022 13:59

I don't think I ever worried about mine 'seeing' a TV. I definitely used to watch Pointless with her in her sleepy newborn days.

I think there's a difference between 'screen time' and the TV being on.

Hugasauras · 11/04/2022 15:50

God I watched loads of TV when DD was tiny! I wouldn't worry about it.

We are really relaxed about screen time anyway - we do loads of stuff, DD3 is very active and has lots of days out, time in garden and park, craft work, imaginative play, time at nursery doing all sorts, so I don't really care if she wants to sit for an hour watching Bluey after nursery some days or if we have a lazy Sunday where we watch Moana together. Screen time isn't some dreadful bogeyman – it's just not a substitute for doing other stuff too. But if your child has an active and varied daily life, then watching some TV is really inconsequential.

WaterBottle123 · 11/04/2022 15:59

Just turn him the other way or turn TV off?

minniep · 11/04/2022 16:04

I binged watched loads of tv when mine were babies especially on maternity leave.
I'm with @Hugasauras and I'm totally relaxed about screen time.

beattieedny · 11/04/2022 16:11

We didn't have one on before ds1 was three years old.
Ds2 and the rest grew up with cbeebies on a few hours a day because their older siblings were watching it,lol.
At two months old, you could watch anything really. They just see the exciting lights and shapes. Turn it off if you want to. Don't sweat it.

thingymaboob · 11/04/2022 16:13

@floridapalmtree

No tv before age two in our house
Sounds utterly miserable for everyone. My daughter watched very short Sesame Street songs aged one and started clapping, laughing and singing along. It was wonderful!
Mrsmch123 · 11/04/2022 19:37

Do people actually turn their babies away from the tv🙈

Mamabananananana · 11/04/2022 19:42

What i did when baby was tiny was put on Disney songs etc whilst i was in a shower or doing dishes etc. And sang along.
Baby only gets tv in morning for short time ( normally while i try have cereal in peace and wake up!) and once theres big enough, they can play and entertain themsleves so youll be amazed when they dont bother with it.

WTF475878237NC · 11/04/2022 19:51

Turn the TV off fgs. You can watch it when they're in bed or to your heart's content when they're older.

2 month old screen time.
Original poster
charlottecruz · 11/04/2022 20:55

@WTF475878237NC

Turn the TV off fgs. You can watch it when they're in bed or to your heart's content when they're older.
you could calm down, no one was disrespectful towards you. the point of this thread was when there are people in the house who WANT to watch TV, not necessarily myself, I usually have more than enough things to do around the house to worry about TV. Sometimes he's on his bouncer and we have guests over and he's looking at the TV, that's my preoccupation. Nonetheless, everyone thank you for the advice!?
OP posts:
doggyweewee · 12/04/2022 05:23

@minniep

I binged watched loads of tv when mine were babies especially on maternity leave. I'm with *@Hugasauras* and I'm totally relaxed about screen time.
This!

I have this funny vision of a baby in a bouncer facing a corner and the mum watching day time tv 😂

Seriously though… chill, tv will not melt his tiny brain cells. It’s actually a great source of info when they are older too. DS (9) loves documentaries and we watch them together. Joanna Lumley is a favourite (having to explain what bosom means wasn’t my favorite) nor is having to watch the football documentaries in Spanish with English subtitles Hmm

Marvellousmadness · 12/04/2022 05:43

Please tell me you know that you can turn the tv off right???

My god....

lemmein · 12/04/2022 06:25

In the 90s I used to stick my kids in front of Teletubbies for as long as I could get away with. Despite the Daily Mail warnings they have grown to be normal adults and generally don't run around hills shouting 'eh-oh' (that I know of Grin)

Don't worry about it.

00100001 · 12/04/2022 06:40

"Sometimes he's on his bouncer and we have guests over and he's looking at the TV"

Er, why is the TV on when guests are over?

Things you can do;

Turn off the TV
Limit when others can watch TV eg when baby is awake/in the room etc
Remove baby from room.
Accept that because it's source of moving light, baby will be mesmerised by it.

00100001 · 12/04/2022 06:44

@thingymaboob
"Sounds utterly miserable for everyone."
Not really... A million other things to be done instead of watching TV

Notajogger · 12/04/2022 06:45

Turn it off. Guests wouldn't come to your house for a visit expecting to sit and watch TV (I hope?!) so it shouldn't be a problem. If it is, take baby in another room and play.

Mrsmch123 · 12/04/2022 06:45

Good god some people are so precious about a tv being on🙈
@lemmein that made me laugh😂😂

Swipe left for the next trending thread