How much TV is too much for your baby?

Tyrae - posted on 04/22/2011

I run the tv as background noise mostly, especially if there is nothing good on the radio that day. For the most part me and my daughter are just playing around or I am wearing her while I do the chores. My hubby always comes home and is surprised by all the episodes of his fav tv show I've gone through, but I never really watch them unless I'm bf my daughter so I don't know what happened on any of them. I think that a certain amouunt of tv is okay especially if it is educational and its just so you can spend 10-15 minutes quickly doing the dishes, and throwing laundry in. But, mostly it should be play time and used as background noise.

Karli - posted on 04/22/2011

I have heard form my sister who is a learning specialist that more then 30 min of TV a day increases a child's chance of ADD or ADHD. I have not read any facts on this. I have chosen to not show the TV to my 11 month old. Three days a week I child care my neice who is 13 months old. They play together. I have totally child proffed my daughters room so I can walk away and know they are safe. I am not gone long. You could do the same with one of the large gates on the center of a room. Give them toys they can play with. I have one wooden box with a square, circle and triange. They try to drop the pieces in the holes. I also have a box that when they touch it it plays Mozart. I dont see that they miss a TV at all. I myself am not much of a TV watcher so this maybe easier for me. Look into TV and ADD in children, that may make your choice easier.
Warmly, fellow mom.

Karli - posted on 04/22/2011

I have heard form my sister who is a learning specialist that more then 30 min of TV a day increases a child's chance of ADD or ADHD. I have not read any facts on this. I have chosen to not show the TV to my 11 month old. Three days a week I child care my neice who is 13 months old. They play together. I have totally child proffed my daughters room so I can walk away and know they are safe. I am not gone long. You could do the same with one of the large gates on the center of a room. Give them toys they can play with. I have one wooden box with a square, circle and triange. They try to drop the pieces in the holes. I also have a box that when they touch it it plays Mozart. I dont see that they miss a TV at all. I myself am not much of a TV watcher so this maybe easier for me. Look into TV and ADD in children, that may make your choice easier.
Warmly, fellow mom.

Taylor - posted on 04/20/2011

I have to throw it out there that there are so many great educational/stimulating shows for kids out there right now! So many of the studies are probably done with shows that we used to watch as kids. Not saying TV is great and you should definitely watch it, but I don't feel that it is incredibly bad. But when you compare RoadRunner with WordWorld, I mean you have to say that it is definitely trying to teach them something. And to think that the "my baby can read" set is Dvds has to tell you that some TV can actually teach babies.

Serene - posted on 04/17/2011

My tv used to stay on all weekend during the wintertime and my 10 month old daughter and son would watch educational programs but, now since the weather has changed, the tv is going off. We spend more time outside and doing things together as a famliy when the weather permits it, but my children also attend a Childcare Preschool M-Fri.

Dawn - posted on 04/16/2011

in the mornings (espeically those when I'm having a really hard time waking up) my husband will put our kiddo in his bouncer while he gets ready for work and turns on the disney channel. He will watch Handy Manny and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (his absolute favorite!) He gets giddy every time it comes on the TV, but other than that when those shows aren't on (and even when they are) he doesnt focus on them much. when he needs a break from his toys or other activity he will watch it for a moment or two then go back to playing with me, hubby, his toys, or something else that's interesting to him. Disney Jr. is on so much during the day now that my husband and I are singing the little songs from the commericals or even the shows themselves! I think we are starting to enjoy them more than our son is! xD

As far as I see it, our son gets more than enough active time to balance out any tv he "watches." He plays with us or his toys more than anything else... heck, he eats more times in a day than he watches tv so I have no worries. hubby and I agreed to homeschool our son when he is of age so we are both very hands-on with his education even now to get him a good head start (and practice for us as well!) As others have said (and i will repeat) it all requires balance. I don't think there is any shame or harm in a little tv. it's not realistic to completely shun it from the household.

Ana - posted on 04/16/2011

The tv stays on in my house all day too... My daughter has the Your baby can read, Baby Einstein and a whole collections of Disney Movies.. I also have books I read too.. like some mother above, I also do the cooking and cleaning and laundry.. and my daughter is a fast crawler and energic.. and if the tv is going to keep her calm so i can get cleaning done, then tv it is... she watches agent oso and dora and mickey mouse clubhouse... she doesnt pay attention to much other shows... but once the weather is nice.. she will spend more times outdoor at the park.

Rita - posted on 04/14/2011

Oh and I'd like to add that I think certain shows give kids exposure to the rest of the world...in a sense socializing them. But certainly not all. As I said early, everything requires balance. Thanks Chrissy!

Chrissy - posted on 04/14/2011

ive been wondering the same and read ritas comment and have to agree completely she described my day to a tee :)
i dont know anyone in my town so the tv, radio are my savours and gives me a chance to play with my son when playschool is on we sing together well he claps hands while i sing :) then hes off to play with his toys with tv in background if something catchy comes on he watches it then goes back to his toys and i get ten mins to get a chore done ;)

Rita - posted on 04/14/2011

The TV runs in our house because everyone has something they want to watch. But I've found that the lil man doesn't really watch the tv. He crawls and plays and treats the tv like the radio. He loves noise and music. I think there has to be a balance. While I don't think it's good to leave your kid in front of the TV all day, I think it's inevitable because we can't sit there and stare at them all day long when we have loads of things to do around the house. I think it's completely up to parents to ensure they're kids aren't just staring at the tv and not using their brains. It's about teaching them and talking to them too while they're watching tv you can ask them questions about what's on tv. For those times when you cannot be with them try turning on the radio in the background for them occassionally in lieu of the tv to change it up while they're playing with their toys, etc.

Kim - posted on 04/14/2011

Honestly, I think any amount of tv, for a child under age 2 is too much. Plenty of studies have shown that babies should not be watching tv and it is best for brain development if that is held off until at least 2 years of age.

Alysha - posted on 04/13/2011

i always have the tv on as well. he watches his shows, and i watch mine too. he doesn't stare at it the whole time, so i don't see a problem with it. if it was straight watching it, then a limit would be needed, but he only looks when sounds or colors catch his eyes (usually commercials!)

Carolyn - posted on 04/12/2011

My TV is on all day, but my son mostly ignores it. I keep it on Treehouse ( all childrens shows) He pays attention to theme songs he likes otherwise its all play and shenanigans. He will stop dead in his tracks to watch 4 Square though, but it is only 5 minutes long.

His baby genius video and baby einstein video with mozart music help him wind down and relax before napping.

The way i see it, he is going to watch TV as he grows up, im not going to make it the forbidden fruit.

We dont have zoos or aquariums or much around here so his underwater adventures exposes him to classical music and we can learn about seahorses, and fish, and sharks and see how they move and swim etc.

I am always right there with him so it is not used to keep him occupied in our house, I save housework that i cannot do with him underfoot for nap time or after dad gets home. Otherwise he is tagging right along with me watching the dryer spin, looking inside it, grabbing socks and putting them in it, turning the vaccum on and off while i vaccum if he is not chasing the damned thing LOL