4month old watching TV

[just her chameleon]

I feel kinda bad. My DD has been happily watching TV for the last 1/2hr or so. I left her on a rug on the floor in front of the TV and went down the hall to my study to work. She was soooo quite I thought she'd fallen asleep but no she's watching telly!

Is that bad? I've gotten so much work done this last 1/2 hour its crazy - I'm almost finished .

Please tell me its OK for her to watch TV? I know she doesn't understand it - she just likes the colours and movement. I feel awful leaving her there, but at least she's being quite and I can get heaps of work done.

[333]

My four month old DD is enchanted my the television. I am ignorant to the affects so we dont leave her near it. Perhaps do a little research and make your own, informed decision, by weighing up the pros and the cons.

[greengables]

Don't feel bad!

I know how u feel though - My kids watch TV far too much and I always feel guilty.

But they love TV! They have their fave programs that soon become my fave too! Like In the Night Garden, Playschool (though can't watch these now am in Dubai) so now it's Mickey Mouse clubhouse and Little Einsteins on the DIsney Playhouse channel.

I figure as long as they're happy and they get to run around outside once per day, and the TV programs are carefully selected, it wont hurt them! I think it's cute

[just her chameleon]

Thanks ladies. It's kinda funny because I was always the one who said, 'my kids are never going to watch tv' . DD is sooo funny. When I'm actually at work in the office and feeding her at my desk she has to turn her head towards the computer screen, even though I'm not even doing anything, she just likes the colours. She's so cute.

BTW - hazelnut your bubba is beautiful.

[333]

Thankyou . WE think she is

I know what you mean about the computer screen!
Hazel often sits on my lap as I type and she just adores it. Too cute. Again though I should really do some research...but there is only so many hours in a day...

[jaq]

I've read a few of the reports on TV watching, as I am quite concerned about this for my own girls.

I did see a strong recommendation that children under 2 should not be exposed to any television at all. Wish I could remember exactly why, but I suspect its something about linguistic development.

Older toddlers (3-5) are supposed to have a maximum of an hour a day, ideally in bursts of no more than about 20 minutes. The strongest argument I can see is that too long a period of television makes them zone out on the real world, and become passive rather than active from an imagination standpoint.

I've seen this with Annika myself - no TV days, she will dream up the most amazing scenarios and spin them out most of the day. Sit her in front of two episodes of Dora in a row (about 40 minutes) and she will ONLY want more Dora. For about the next 3 hours she will want more Dora, and hell ensues.

So the most we ever watch here is Playschool in the morning - not every morning, but maybe two or three a week. Sofia has just started watching with Annika, and I must say - she LOVES it.

Then Annika will sometimes get an episode - ONE episode - of Dora on DVD in the afternoon while Sofia sleeps.

[LibranTwin]

I personally don't worry about the occasional 1/2hr in front of the tv. If it gives us a tiny bit of free time and they are happy whats the problem? Having said that my daughter probably only sees about 1/2 hr of tv for the whole week, and I don't think a small amount like that could really have much affect at all.

[branjie]

I say if it keeps her happy for a half hour or so go for it. I don't think it will do her any harm. Sometimes you really need that break to help you stay sane, and a sane mum is better than a frustrated grumpy mum.

[SmileyBJ]

All in moderation I think tv is fine

[Cicho]

My little boy used to be entranced by the Simpsons theme song!
I don't think he was watching it so much, just listening.. I don't think it has done any harm.