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AIBU?

To let baby watch tv?!

134 replies

Wishfulmakeupping · 28/06/2013 10:37

My dd is 5 months.
We do stuff everyday babygroups/meeting friends/family/shopping trips in morning and go for a walk in afternoons as well as playing on play mat for couple hours.
But I do let her watch baby tv for about an hour-1.5 in morning while I'm getting ready sorting out bag etc and and another 30min to an hour at teatime.
Is this so wrong? People have said its too much tv and she shouldn't be watching any.

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Donnadoon · 28/06/2013 10:40

Nope YANBU my dd is nearly 9 months and loves peppa pig...you sound like a great Mum ..enjoy!

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Cheeseatmidnight · 28/06/2013 10:40

It's definitely a touchy subject, and I didn't do it as dd just wasn't interested, but I think I would have done if she was.

There is research which suggests it is not good under 1, but in reality I think lots of people do it

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Wishfulmakeupping · 28/06/2013 10:40

Meant to add that 1 hour to 1.5 hours in morning is not all in one go we are up at 5am and don't leave house until 10 so that would be 20 mins here and there adding together Iyswim

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Parietal · 28/06/2013 10:42

I wouldn't but up to you.

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LifeIsSoBad · 28/06/2013 10:43

My DD is 8m and sometimes I pop the telly on if I need to get stuff done and she doesn't want to play by herself on her mat and she's happy to watch TV for a little while and I can get e wry thing done quicker because I'm not trying to play with her I between getting ready

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OctopusPete8 · 28/06/2013 10:46

I have 2 dc and in times of need Baby TV is a life saver If I have to deal with DC1 pressingly or I have to get dressed/visit loo.

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AnythingNotEverything · 28/06/2013 10:54

I used to put DS in front of the washing machine or a window by a tree that created patterns of shade and light.

Same thing really!

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Hemlet · 28/06/2013 10:56

I pop my 15 week old on his mat by the tv sometimes, usually some kind of trash on that I'm watching. Keeps him happy and i can get on with what needs doing. What's the problem, I say.

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stopgap · 28/06/2013 10:57

I don't, but I'm not much of a TV person. Plus they tend to waffle on about the detrimental effects of it quite a bit over here:

healthland.time.com/2011/10/18/why-educational-tv-for-babies-doesnt-exist/

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catsdogsandbabies · 28/06/2013 11:03

My DS1 has watched some TV from that age and has excellent and far ahead speech and understanding, I actually think they get something out of it if it is discussed with them and used as a learning thing and talked about. Tractor ted is on a lot here now and he is rare amongst his age group knowing all about farming and where food comes from - at that age a bit of waybaloo is just nice colours and movement. if it is 12 hours a day then fine no good but what you are doing is fine in my opinion.

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catsdogsandbabies · 28/06/2013 11:04

there are enough things to feel guilty about without adding this to it I think!

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Oldraver · 28/06/2013 11:06

I dont personally know why you would want to, I don't have the tv on myself during the day so would seem odd to put it on for a baby but that is me I realise some people have the tv on all the time so it wouldn't be odd for them.

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OctopusPete8 · 28/06/2013 11:10

I think too much tv is bad, and games I am guilty of too much when I am feeling off etc.
However things like Disney Junior and Dora are pretty good and interactive and my DC will answer the questions.

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Cheeseatmidnight · 28/06/2013 11:11

Catsdogsandbabies - tractor ted is so good, not too dumbed down, really educational!

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primallass · 28/06/2013 11:19

I did for DS as he got bored very easily. I laughed my head off one day when someone on a forum said that looking out of the window at the trees should be enough at that age Envy

My DD wasn't interested.

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TheCountessOlenska · 28/06/2013 11:20

When DD was under 1, I had the tv on a lot in the day (for company for me!) and was just stuff I was watching - she never took any notice, apart from a few advert jingles she would turn and smile at.

DS often has a backdrop of DD's disney films while he's on his mat but doesn't seem to notice, more interested in watching her, or his toys.

YANBU by the way imo, just impressed that your 5 month old is entertained by it!

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heidihole · 28/06/2013 11:23

Personally I wouldn't as the WHO guidelines are so clear that it is/can be damaging in babies this young. At 5 months she should be just as happy on a playmat or listening to music, or sitting up in a bouncer with a rattle.

However if you choose to do it it doesn't make you a terrible mother, it is YOUR choice and your choice only, noone elses business (except maybe baby's dad)

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primallass · 28/06/2013 11:23

Plus my DS went to school reading and is great at spelling. It attribute it to SuperWhy Grin

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primallass · 28/06/2013 11:23

I attribute

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heidihole · 28/06/2013 11:26
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Knittingnovice · 28/06/2013 11:27

DD2 is 11 weeks, DD1 is 3, DS is 5.
DD2 has been 'watching' cbeebies and nick jr since birth because I need it to entertain the other two while I am cooking tea, making breakfast, hanging out the washing etc etc.
Once you have more than one DC I don't think it can be avoided. The bigger two often need entertaining after school/preschool while DD2 is having a feeding marathon.

Even if I don't put he TV on both DD1 and DS can put on he TV and fid he channels they want to watch, although at he moment we are fighting about watching Wimbledon rather than Ben & Holly and Peppa PigSmile

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Pobblewhohasnotoes · 28/06/2013 11:30

I wouldn't get anything done if it wasn't for doses of cbeebies.

If I cook DS gets in between my legs and tries to push me out the kitchen. Even if I'm drinking a cup of tea he tries to help, so there are times I put it on to distract him so I can get on with something or have five minutes peace.

I quite like the background noise of the tv, when he was a baby I'd watch bbc breakfast. I don't think you're doing anything wrong.

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MoominsYonisAreScary · 28/06/2013 11:36

All mine have, they are 18,10 2 and 5 months. The older ones are fine and don't seem to have suffered any ill effects from my lax parenting

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Fakebook · 28/06/2013 11:38

What's wrong with letting children watch tv? Dd used to watch it and so does DS. Dd is fine at 5 years old. Haven't noticed any square eyes or antennas sticking out of her head as of yet.

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Pobblewhohasnotoes · 28/06/2013 12:10

Surely it's about a balance? There's enough to feel guilty about as a parent FFS!

Yes I let my DS watch cbeebies, he particularly loves the 'groovy moves' on Show Me Show Me and the song in Mr Bloom. We have a dance together, it's great fun!

But I also get books shoved in my face regularly (there is no saying no). At 16 months he loves books and wants a story.

I fail to see any of this as an issue.

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