TV and newborn question

I've tried to keep my 5-month old daughter from watching any tv, but it's difficult because my husband and I like to watch the news in the evenings.  We can't watch after she goes to sleep because she doesn't sleep..well, not on her own anyways.  The few times we've had the news on while she's playing on the floor or sitting on my lap, she'll look over at the tv for a minute or less, then go about her business.  The one time I tried to watch the Simpsons, it was a different story: her eyes were glued to the screen until I realized I'd have to turn it off.

Last week her pediatrician said no TV until she's two, and it was only after we left that I thought to ask: NO tv or just no children's programs/using tv as babysitter which I never do?  Does CNN count?  

[Me2mommy2b]

I was paranoid about DD being exposed to tv.  Unfortunately, she was (and still is) being watched by my mother in law who's addicted to her soap operas so I have very little control over that.  I'd say limit her exposure as much as you can.  I understand that in this day and age it's almost impossible to go without a TV but sitting the child in front of a TV for hours is not that great.  I'm assuming your dr meant no watching tv for long periods of time.

[AndiJ78]

My impression is they mean sitting your kid in front of the TV and walking away or expecting the tv alone to be a source of entertainment for your child.

My kids watch TV, but rarely do they sit and watch a program all the way through. Our TV is usually on channels like Animal Planet, Discovery Kids or Noggin. But like I said, my kids don't sit and watch TV, they are too busy playing, coloring, etc. But it has inspired me to expand on things seen on these shows. We make lessons out of things we see.

[tiredbuthappy]

i have the TV a lot, and dd doesn't even glance at it. much too interested in playing. i spent a weekend last year with someone who sat with her 9 month old in front of the TV a lot. the baby would not fall asleep unless the wonder pets was on. it was scary. and while she was in denial, i could see it had an impact on the mom as she sang along with all the songs, even when in the company of adults.

i don't think cnn counts, although if she's that engrossed you may want to avoid the simpsons. although as she gets older you may want to limit even news. right now it's fine since she doesn't understand what she hears, but these days the content is very scary to a child who can understand some of the words.

[MOM2B24]

I HAVE TO SAY, I CAN'T SIDE ON THIS ISSUE. I WOULD NEVER SIT MY CHILD IN FRONT OF THE TV AND WALK AWAY, BUT I HAVE WONDERFUL MEMORIES OF THE SHOWS I GREW UP WATCHING. (THE GLOW WORMS, MY LITTLE PONY, FRAGGLE ROCK, ECT) SO I GUESS SOMEWHERE ALONG THE LINES, I WOULD ALLOW SOME TIME SPENT IN FRONT OF THE TV WITH MOM AND DAD SUPERVISING. THESE ARE THINGS I REALLY HAVE TO THINK ABOUT TOO I GUESS.

[ZevasMom]

Our DD loves the "T" (as she calls it).  We don't plop her infront of it, but she does have her favorite shows... She watches "Melmo" (elmo) on Sesame Street every morning - she is 19mo and she likes repeating the letter and number of the day... She also watches some "Ooby Doo" (Scooby Doo)... And between 6-7 we watch Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune... So, all in all, she probably watches about 2 hours of tv a day... We keep it limited to educational shows, so far she is "damaged" :o)

P.S. I remember when I was younger and my parents always watched Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune.  I used to think, isn't there anything better on?!  Now I realize, you can watch those shows without wondering if some type of embarrasing scene is going to pop up... Speaking of which, did anyone see the new NightRider movie?  I was shocked!!  That isn't the Night Rider I remember (threesomes, lesbian scene... and all at 8pm!!!)... Some programming should definately NOT come on before 9pm!

[mami1323]

I think that as long as it is limited then it shouldn't be a problem.  My son loves some of the cartoons, he gets really excited.  He likes only bright colored cartoons though.  He gets bored easy so he doesn't get glued to it.  What he likes the most are programs with dancing.  He loves that show on mtv with the dance crews and he loves movies with singing and dancing.  My fiance gets worried but I think it's cute.  You know that macho attitude thing.  I wouldn't mind my son being into hip hop.  Hey if he likes it then so be it.

[cantwait4baby]

wow, 2 years old - I personally think that is nuts.  My dd is 9 months old and I was told by my neurologist that she is advanced for her age with pretty much everything developmentally.  Some other issues I have that she is behind in but none of which would be related toTV.  My dd loved barney when she was 3 months old.  I would not sit her there as the babysitter but while I was on leave I would sit next to her and watch with her.  She would smile at the tv and start to utter sounds.  Barney gets on my last nerve but that show I really believe helped her language skills.  I learned all the songs they sing and I would sing with Barney to her and she would crack up.

She is now 9 months old and THANK GOD has moved on to sesame street and Tigger and Pooh.  Again, I learned all the songs and YES my 9 month old humms the alphabet with me.  I sing and she humms she thinks she is singing with me.  I know all kids are different even within the same family but if TV is bad for you it does not show any signs on my dd.  She also did ring around the rosie at 7 months and that she learned from sesame street.  We did it while the kids on tv did it.

Now we do read to her every night just as I did when I was pregnant and one thing I always make sure to do is NOT feed her while the TV is on .  Bottle or food.  TV gets turned off.  She gets mad but she gets over it.  Babies adjust quickly to a routine so she already knows its dinner time when the TV gets turned off.

I tend to listen to everything my doctor says but if he told me 2 years old for TV I would tell him he is crazy.  She will be allowed to watch all those shows as much as she wants during her time.  Now I always said I would not put a tv in her room when she is older but I am not sure I am not there yet so I cant judge on that one yet.

Good Luck!

[kris123]

Ok - many have different view - my son watched tv some when he was 2 & 3months old - he had colic so i was trying to do anything that would clam him and it was the TV - but now at 9months he could care less

[GNicole]

I agree with cantwait. I think some TV watching is good. Kids learn alot from shows like Sesame Street. Good luck!

Cantwait- I sent you a message!

[mum2beagain]

We do have the TV on times, I actually find my kids aren't in the least bit interested in cartoons etc on the regular TV channel. They have a few "Baby Einstien Video's" that they enjoy and my oldest likes Thomas. I find it more useful to sit with them and talk about it as we watch it, they learn from it that way. The "Baby Einstien" videos have been well used and loved in the last 3 years, my eldest learnt alot of langage from us watching those video's with him, he gets nothing from the regular programming TV shows as he doesn't understand what's going on so it's basically just a whirlwind of colour and sound.
Oh and I will hold my hands up and say in all honestly I do sometimes put a favourite vid on for 20 minutes to get a bit of time to prepare the dinner; they usually settle down and watch the first 5 minutes and then wander off to play with something else!

[chinesebones]

Thanks.  As a political junkie, going on a tv-free diet this year in particular would be difficult.  I'm always there with her, so if a particularly disturbing story comes on I can turn it off.  I usually turn it off when she starts watching, so she's used to that.  
Come to think of it, I was a toddler when Walter Chronkite was covering the Vietnam War, and I didn't really understand what the footage of injured soldiers and explosions was all about.  Boy I loved that man's voice!  I'll always associate him with my dad; he was like a surrogate uncle to me.

[alaysha]

I agree that TV is bad for children and I don't plan on letting Aspen watch it as a child but I think at the age of 5 months it should be fine if your childs attention is focused on the tv for little periods of time. My baby is only 2 month old and sometimes when the TV is on she'll look over at it and watch the screen. When I asked her doctor what I should do about it he informed me that until she's about 7 months or more she isn't "watching tv" she's watching the colors and the movement because it stimulates her brain. Kinda like putting a black and white design infront of her. She looks at both with the same intensity.

[SliverCheer]

damn threesome on nightrider?? wtf I'm glad I didn't watch it all the way through.  I don't understand how they can put that garbage on tv period nm after 9 pm.  It should be rated X and only available at dirty stores.  it angers me so much!