Screentime for 12 weeks old

[Butterscotchbaby]

At the moment he watches a hey bear sensory video on you tube each day - he loves it, follows the screen im guessing more the light rather than the actual images - my question is am i doing him harm? Will it cause lasting damage? He also sits in his bouncer chair and plays with the dangling toys but also the tv in on in the room and he will look at that too!

It won't harm him, but I wouldn't bother at that age. They are mesmerized by shadows on the wall... Seems a shame to get them into targeted screen time so early.

I am not a screen snob btw, my toddlers and teen get loads, I just don't really understand using it for tiny babies. To me that's the perfect age to let them discover all the things in the real world!

You don't need to be providing entertainment every minute they are awake if that is something you are struggling with.

😂 12 weeks?

Interestingly, American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines recommend a zero screen time rule (except for video calls) for children under 18 months
www.nct.org.uk/baby-toddler/games-and-play/screen-time-for-babies-and-toddlers-evidence

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends avoiding screen media for children younger than 18 months. Children under 18 months cannot translate what they perceive on a two-dimensional screen into the physical world

Television viewing in babies under 18 months of age should be avoided, other than video chatting. To help encourage brain, language, and social development, spend more time playing, reading, and being physically active with your baby

No it won't harm him, providing he is getting lots of time to enjoy the non-screen world around him.

I would suggest thinking about limits as he grows older as it could easily creep up.

I used to use one hey bear a day to drink a hot cup of tea. I found them strangely mesmerising..

Its literally whilst i run upstairs to put the washing on the horse or wash all the bottles - he does a variety of things to keep him amused but the hey bear just gives me a good solid 15 mins to get bits done

Hey Bear are great! I used to pop it on for 10 minutes for DD to watch whilst I got ready for the day - I knew it would keep her entertained 🤣

Do whatever you need to to get you through the day OP! @Butterscotchbaby

Oh same! I have a 12 week old and he probably gets half hour a day whilst I pop a wash on and drink a tea. He goes to sensory classes and walks etc the rest of the day. We gotta have a cup of tea OP. Thank god for hey bear some days....

But why does he need to watch a screen because you’ve run upstairs? He’s 12 weeks old and would be just as happy starring at the curtains.

It’s baffling that you want to start this habit so young.

He doesn’t need tv while you do chores. He’ll get plenty of stimulation doing pretty much anything else for 15 minutes. Babies need down time too.

Couldn't he watch you do the chores or hang the washing instead @Butterscotchbaby? Plonk him on the floor with something crinkly under his feet.

I think it's so tempting for parents to use tv as a babysitter. I've done it myself. Please don't start at 12 weeks. He's far too young and I think its disadvantageous to him.

I wouldn't worry and would personally ignore the people who have stated otherwise
It's on all day here - my baby is 5.5 months
Isn't glued to it but do agree with others that they can just be as stimulated by watching you do chores
X

I mean she doesn't watch it all day list short periods but it's background noise and we all sorts of activities in between
X

This makes me sad.

i’m no weirdo about screens - my two have plenty of screen time. But 12 weeks old? Really?

Ah jeez it's 15 minutes of TV so OP can get something done. Not leaving a 12 week old in front of the TV for hours. I mean all babies accidentally watch some TV. Unless when you had newborns you sat in silence during the endless feeds and cuddles! I have images of these babies and mums sat in complete silence and babies being made to face curtains 🤣 (sorry!)

It’s not something I would do.

I watched hours of TV while feeding her but if I went to hang up washing or similar DD came too and entertained herself. I didn’t leave her in another room. I think that’s a bit odd at that age.

Please dont

the nhs alone recommends no screen time for under 2 year olds

there is SO MUCH proven research out there to show the effects on the brain that these types of programmes have on babies and toddlers brains

there is plenty of sensory ideas you can find that doesn’t involve a screen. Your tiny baby who’s brain is still developing really does not need a tv

This. Why on earth does he need ‘sensory’ time, everything around him is a sensory experience, his real life. Save the screens for when he’s (much) older.

I’d think it better for the baby to fuss a bit if they get bored of watching you hanging up the washing than to artificially prevent fussing with an electronic device. But a sling is very useful for this kind of thing.

No.

12 weeks ! Just no.

What have I just read?

No way is this ok.

Sorry but totally appalling.can you guys never live without noise..or movin g images? And u r teaching a 12 week old to do the same.let the baby watch you do things? Use a mobile. Put calming music on.jeez

12 weeks! Really not a good idea and not needed at that age.