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Original poster

Baby screen/ TV time

34 replies

ZEWatson · 21/02/2023 12:35

Do/ Did you let your baby watch screens?
I have major mum guilt/ the feeling I'm doing this all wrong. Baby is coming up to 4 months old and has been a 'difficult baby'. She has milk allergies and from day 1 has been colicky/ spends A LOT of time awake- has rarely had longer than 3 hours total sleep during day time hours, now its about 1.5-2 hours per day (isn't toooo bad at night). We do singing, sensory play and do 3 baby groups each week and go for lots of walks but we've just moved house and there's soooo much to do (no family within 3 hours drive) and most days she'll have one or two times where we'll put her in her chair and put on HeyBear sensory videos on our phone/ TV and she is transfixed, it means I can sort the laundry, we can eat our meal together or I can do an odd job. I can't help but feel guilty/ shocked that I am putting my fairly small baby infront of screens but unless you're giving her your undivided attention she cries if left on her own with her toys and I'd never get anything done!
Anyone else feel the same/ have any kind advice/ opinions? It's usually just for 10 mins at a time, sometimes a little longer. I'm torn and confused!

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Original poster
ZEWatson · 22/02/2023 13:29

Flittingaboutagain · 22/02/2023 12:50

I'm heavily pregnant with a very young toddler. I totally get the need for downtime etc but use music, radio, singing toys and then just household chores and tasks she could watch as a PP suggests. I can't understand the lack of imagination so many women seem to have that lead to using screens. The guidance is so clear. It does your baby no good. Guilt is a good indicator of poor parenting sometimes.

Also I can only assume you had lots of friends/ family nearby or you had a baby who would happily be left to 'play' on their own from a young age OR you were happy to let them cry it out which we don't do. For us it's either she cries it out or she watches a screen if I want to go to the bathroom, sort the Pets, eat a meal etc. And I'd rather a screen than purple faced screaming

OP posts:
BridieConvert · 22/02/2023 13:32

I would not manage to get anything done (whether that be housework, a shower, something for myself...) if it wasn't for those dancing fruit videos! Used them with my now 2yo and again now with my 5mo!

Original poster
ZEWatson · 22/02/2023 13:34

BridieConvert · 22/02/2023 13:32

I would not manage to get anything done (whether that be housework, a shower, something for myself...) if it wasn't for those dancing fruit videos! Used them with my now 2yo and again now with my 5mo!

THANK YOU 🤣 She loves the dancing vegetables. I can't believe how aggressive some people have been on here. I know I'm a very good mother to her. We do SO much singing, sensory play, walking etc. And ironically, I am probably the most qualified person on this thread for looking after a newborn. I think some people have very easy babies who don't cry often/ don't need as much stimulation.

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JessePinkmansgirl · 22/02/2023 13:37

I wouldn't worry. When they get to 5 years old, all they want is a happy meal whilst watching their iPad 🤷🏻‍♀️😂

qwertyy1234 · 22/02/2023 13:39

Flittingaboutagain · 22/02/2023 12:50

I'm heavily pregnant with a very young toddler. I totally get the need for downtime etc but use music, radio, singing toys and then just household chores and tasks she could watch as a PP suggests. I can't understand the lack of imagination so many women seem to have that lead to using screens. The guidance is so clear. It does your baby no good. Guilt is a good indicator of poor parenting sometimes.

Just get in the bin. Calling someone a bad parent online is not okay. As OP you don't know the repercussions of your words, so be kind.

BridieConvert · 22/02/2023 13:40

@ZEWatson you're doing great! My 2yo was also the colicky CMPA baby and she was born right at the start of lockdown... you do what you need to do to get through!

You'll always get the high and mighty perfect parents on these threads but as long as they're not only watching screens, no issues :)

BridieConvert · 22/02/2023 13:42

Flittingaboutagain · 22/02/2023 12:50

I'm heavily pregnant with a very young toddler. I totally get the need for downtime etc but use music, radio, singing toys and then just household chores and tasks she could watch as a PP suggests. I can't understand the lack of imagination so many women seem to have that lead to using screens. The guidance is so clear. It does your baby no good. Guilt is a good indicator of poor parenting sometimes.

Oh give over. "Lack of imagination" 🙄

RidingMyBike · 22/02/2023 16:08

Flittingaboutagain · 22/02/2023 12:50

I'm heavily pregnant with a very young toddler. I totally get the need for downtime etc but use music, radio, singing toys and then just household chores and tasks she could watch as a PP suggests. I can't understand the lack of imagination so many women seem to have that lead to using screens. The guidance is so clear. It does your baby no good. Guilt is a good indicator of poor parenting sometimes.

Is this meant to be a helpful comment Hmm?!

GoAgainstNicki · 22/02/2023 23:09

Just get in the bin.

😂😂

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