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Original poster

Have I let my baby watch too much cocomelon

122 replies

Roseyrhubard · 09/02/2023 19:21

Had a right few days with my 7 month old recently. We’ve put it down to teething as all the signs are there. However he has been throwing some serious tantrums and the days have been long. He is very whingey at the minute. He’s always been a little like this, at 4 months he used to cry at people a lot but he grew out of it so I’m hoping this will soon go too.

ive always let him watch tv from probably about 8-12 weeks old. Started with the dancing fruits and then cocomelon. Now I often put it on when I want to get stuff done around the house. (He does go in his jumperoo a lot too). I know you aren’t supposed to let them have a lot of screen time but it keeps him quiet and I still have a house to get on top of. Just read something that popped up online that links cocomelon to tantrums and now I’m massively over thinking it? Shall I take it away completely? Not sure how I would get anything done though. I often pop him in the high chair with toys have it on in background etc. I just feel like there’s so much pressure on being this perfect mum, i would love to sit and play with him all the time but I still have 1000 other things to do.

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IWasFunBeforeMum · 09/02/2023 20:03

Swap it for cbeebies and minimum time to get your jobs done.

Original poster
Roseyrhubard · 09/02/2023 20:04

MelaniesFlowers · 09/02/2023 19:55

Firstly, babies don’t have tantrums.

Secondly, it depends on your definition of “fine”.

If you are going to let your baby watch tv, and I really do think from 8-12 weeks and under a year is far too young and very damaging, they shouldn’t be watching Cocomelon.

Due to the way Cocomelon presents itself (the FPS rate is awful), it is literally rewiring your baby’s brain so they need to be entertained faster and faster, causing upset when what they want isn’t immediate.

Cocomelon is a hyper stimulant and acts as a drug to your babies brain. So if you think that’s fine, then yeah, your baby will be “fine”.

The important thing to remember here is that you have a baby - you’re not meant to spend your time “getting things done”.

But since I think you’re going to carry on with tv anyway, you need to change the show to something like Ms Rachel.

Interesting. Thanks for your comment.
Also I did say maybe tantrum isn’t the right word but recently he has been getting very angry and frustrated and just generally been harder work. I guess I used that word as I’ve had a rough day of it

OP posts:
Nooyoiknooyoik · 09/02/2023 20:06

Aldisfinest · 09/02/2023 19:43

Agreed

Show quote history

Double agreed.
Screen time is only a problem if the child is on it all the time, never gets taken out of the house or spoken to or read to. Sadly quite common.

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JessicaFletcherscrewnecksweater · 09/02/2023 20:08

Oh boy, this thread will make you feel worse.

FirstTimeMama96 · 09/02/2023 20:09

I wouldn't put tantrums down to Cocomelon. My 4 month old loves it and it's one of the few kids shows I can tolerate🙈 but a little screen time here and there is required to get things done and get a minute to yourself! I remember a friend telling me Peppa pig was a bad influence on children and I remember thinking my sister & I both loved that show growing up and neither one of us were ever misbehaved because we saw peppa do it😂 in my opinion tv shows aren't the reason for bad behaviour and all young children have grumpy stages. My little girl was terrible from about 2&1/2 to 3 months and I felt like such a failure like I was doing everything wrong as I couldn't put her down for 2 minutes without her crying but it is just a stage babies go through and it does get better😊

Original poster
Roseyrhubard · 09/02/2023 20:09

ManyNameChanges · 09/02/2023 20:03

Are you worried about that specific program or about the amount of time your baby is spending in front of the Tv?

You have an easy solution rathe possible link between his behaviour and this program. Just switch to something else!
It’s easy, won’t change what you are currently doing that much and will give some some peace of mind. Look at your dc behaviour and see if there is any changes.

What I noticed is that you think he is more ‘unsettled’ when you want things done.
It always is. Simply because when you want/need to do something, you can’t give them your whole attention and respond straight away. But also because you will notice he grumbled MORE when you want to do something then when you are relaxed and simply focusing on him!
And it will be at ‘that time of the day’ when babies are unsettled, grumble etc.. because they are more tired, it’s the end of the day etc….

Definitely tv in general. I just thought to mention coco lemon as it is the main thing I have put on.

I think I’m definitely going to limit it as much as possible. It’s alright people saying minimum housework but houses still have washing, pots, general tidying to do. I try and do it as quick as I can. you can’t just leave everything

OP posts:
StressedToTheMaxxx · 09/02/2023 20:11

Don't worry about it OP, if it isn't for that long, to allow you to do stuff around the house then I very much doubt it's causing any harm. I'm a single mum to a baby and would never get anything done if it wasn't for the TV! It isn't on that often and it's always Little Baby Bum which is basically nursery rhymes (I'm not sure how good or bad that is compared to the likes of cocomelon). But we do go out and about a lot, to quite a few baby classes etc. It's all about moderation.

Original poster
Roseyrhubard · 09/02/2023 20:12

JessicaFletcherscrewnecksweater · 09/02/2023 20:08

Oh boy, this thread will make you feel worse.

Haha I know! Tbh it hasn’t because i know I do take my baby out and do things with him. Some people are lovely and give constructive advice about the tv issue and some people are pure judgemental. I only posted it cos I started worrying I shouldn’t have let him watch it at all. I am a good mum - I’m trying my best. The thread was asking about a specific thing (bring screen time) it doesn’t mean I don’t sit, play, take my baby out or spend time with him.

OP posts:
shmivorytower · 09/02/2023 20:13

No need for a baby that young to have any screens on. Recommendation is no screens until 18 months. www.nct.org.uk/baby-toddler/games-and-play/screen-time-for-babies-and-toddlers-evidence

If you really must, let your child watch something gentler. Check out programmes for babies on CBeebies.

pinkthree · 09/02/2023 20:14

And also, if you was a rubbish mum you wouldn't be worrying about this so cut yourself some slack ☺️

shmivorytower · 09/02/2023 20:15

And, no: you are not a rubbish mum!

NuffSaidSam · 09/02/2023 20:15

Roseyrhubard · 09/02/2023 20:00

You know what, I think this is why it’s difficult as he is sitting up but still a tad wobbly so of course I don’t just leave him sat there we sit together and then I have to put him somewhere if I need to leave the room. once he’s more stable I think he will be able to play much better, and then crawling even better I think he gets frustrated.

Show quote history

Put cushions all round him and leave him to it. There's no harm in him wobbling over onto a cushion, it's the best way for him to find his balance, trial and error!

And ignore the pedants objecting to use of the word 'tantrum' we all know what you meant!

Isthisexpected · 09/02/2023 20:17

Bloody hell I wish there was a compulsory course for new parents. Screen time is not advised under two and completely unnecessary. There are so many developmentally appropriate ways to parent. This is so lazy. It isn't a choice between screens or housework.

Original poster
Roseyrhubard · 09/02/2023 20:22

Isthisexpected · 09/02/2023 20:17

Bloody hell I wish there was a compulsory course for new parents. Screen time is not advised under two and completely unnecessary. There are so many developmentally appropriate ways to parent. This is so lazy. It isn't a choice between screens or housework.

Thanks for calling me a lazy mum. I can assure you I am not that. I am just looking for some support on here. Sorry Mrs perfect

OP posts:
trampoline123 · 09/02/2023 20:23

I'm not opposed to babies watching TV but I noticed a huge change in my toddlers behaviour when he started watching this even for a short time. Safe to say it is banned!

ShirleyPhallus · 09/02/2023 20:23

Isthisexpected · 09/02/2023 20:17

Bloody hell I wish there was a compulsory course for new parents. Screen time is not advised under two and completely unnecessary. There are so many developmentally appropriate ways to parent. This is so lazy. It isn't a choice between screens or housework.

I agree that babies don’t need screen time.

but under 2?! My DD went through a period of very early waking around 20-22 months. Like fuck was I going to be able to survive it without being able to put her in front of ceebeebies for a bit

motherhood isn’t this competition of who can do the most wholesome activities for every moment you have your child with you. The WHO makes recommendations but parents can only take that as a guide and then do what they think best. Ie, WHO recommends BF until 2 but I don’t know anyone who did that either

Cas112 · 09/02/2023 20:26

PotKettel · 09/02/2023 19:34

yes take it away, no need to use screens with babies .

In moderation is fine, ignore this

Pastaf0rbreakfast · 09/02/2023 20:35

I am not completely opposed to screen time and had previously limited it to 30mins a day for distraction during nappy changes and so I could get a few jobs done. I did used to baby wear a lot for housework jobs until DS could crawl. I still baby wear for jobs if he is feeling a bit delicate.

However, we were all ill for most of December and screen time increased to a level we weren’t happy with. We went cold turkey on screen time 6 weeks ago and I have noticed a huge improvement on his mood, sleep, and, attention span. His speech has also improved but that could be age as he is now 17 months.

I have also found that parenting is significantly less stressful, I think because I would previously become frustrated when tv didn’t work as a distraction when I needed it, but also the noise of the tv affected me more than I realised.

sofasofa42 · 09/02/2023 20:38

Honestly- most of these posts are batshit . The fact you are even questioning screen time means you probably have it under control. We do what we need to do and my dd watched loads of coco melon and learned the songs and enjoyed eventually dancing to it. She is not overly excited by screens at the age of 5, knows it's a treat. Honestly- be cool with yourself. Screens are a fact now and it's managing it. Will we demonise telletubbies? The visuals are the same .

Emmamoo89 · 09/02/2023 20:39

Isthisexpected · 09/02/2023 20:17

Bloody hell I wish there was a compulsory course for new parents. Screen time is not advised under two and completely unnecessary. There are so many developmentally appropriate ways to parent. This is so lazy. It isn't a choice between screens or housework.

She's not lazy at all. You sound like an arsehole. She's doing her best

Sleepless1096 · 09/02/2023 20:41

I'm probably more relaxed than many when it comes to TV and my baby does occasionally get half an hour here and there simply because we have it on for the older one and the baby seems to watch it sometimes. But I don't think the TV would be my first distraction of choice for the baby to get things done around the house.

I know they're controversial but I really think playpens or playyards have a place when it comes to getting things done with mobile/almost mobile babies and that they're much better than confining babies in buggies/bouncer seats/high chairs. They keep the baby safe but the baby can either lie and roll and kick, or crawl about if they're moving and play with toys - they have much more freedom of movement. My baby is a bit younger than yours, but when they reach the sitting up/starting to crawl stage, we'll be putting a playpen in a corner of the kitchen for them and will hopefully build them up to playing in there alone for short periods of time.

Duttercup · 09/02/2023 20:43

I'm not anti-screens particularly but I think CocoMelon has been shown to be particularly rubbish. I mean, it's unpleasant to watch as an adult... It's like being drunk and seasick.

There's definitely gentler, slower paced programmes if you're worried about CocoMelon specifically. Baby Club on CBeebies was always a big hit here.

ExcitingTimes2021 · 09/02/2023 20:47

Honestly I wouldn’t worry about screen time too much especially if you get up to plenty of other activities and outside time/social interaction with baby.

My 18 month old has recently discovered coco melon and she loves it. I have to admit screen time has crept up in the last couple of months due to weather and back to back illnesses but hey ho, that’s life. When you have a poorly toddler who just wants to cuddle you all day on the couch what else can you do?

I found this article which might put your mind at ease though.

www.nct.org.uk/baby-toddler/games-and-play/screen-time-for-babies-and-toddlers-evidence

You just keep being the being parent you can be. You are doing a great job! So just ignore the judgemental, ignorant bastards with their holier then thou comments!

WoMandalorian · 09/02/2023 20:49

Songs for Littles with Mrs Rachel is good. Very engaging, educational and is a real person not a cartoon 🙂 you're doing great 💐

mswales · 09/02/2023 20:51

Get a baby play best OP then you can leave him in that with some toys when you need to do stuff. Would he not be happy in jumperoo without TV on?

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