Can babies watch TV?

My 3 month old always seems to find the TV if its on and will watch it unless we point her away from it. My instinct is to not let her watch it too much.

We had an incident the other night that dd was in the room while we were watching the Walking Dead and realized she was watching when a zombie was being butchered . I guess we should start putting her asleep before that show lol.

So my question is if you think its ok for a baby to watch some baby friendly TV for short periods of time or can it hurt her eyes or set a bad precedent for TV watching?

Re: Can babies watch TV?

I wouldn't at that age. But I'm sure there are moms who did it and had no issues. For me, it was more about ME not getting into the habit of plopping her in front of the tv, especially if it meant staying on top of housework. I'm not saying that would happen to you, but it would have been an issue for me.

Re: Can babies watch TV?

I think the American Academy of Pediatrics says no TV under 1 year. I've heard about a link between TV watching and ADD but who knows. My DS strains his neck to see the TV if its on in the room he is in so I try to have him facing away from it or just keep it off. If I want some background noise during the day I put some music on.
I agree that it could be tempting to let them sit and watch tv if you have stuff to do!

Re: Can babies watch TV?

Re: Can babies watch TV?

AAP recommends no tv at all under age 2.

Re: Can babies watch TV?

OMG I hear ya! DS will strain his neck to see what's on all the time! I have the TV on channel 4 all day, so the shows them selves can't be too interesting to him, but I'm not OK with this habit. I'm trying to make sure he is facing away from the TV at all times.

Re: Can babies watch TV?

I'm sure babies are just attracted to the lights and sound at that age. It can't be more stimulating than all the crazy loud and bright baby toys. DS didn't start watching tv until he was about 10 months. I wouldn't even call it watching TV. He likes Moose and points to things occasionally but it's more there for background noise. Everything in moderation....

Re: Can babies watch TV?

AJ has been watching TV forever. At 3m it was only really background noise and if it was Seasame street it was the color she was looking at. I don't think she understood it wasn't really real. She couldn't possibly thought of it as anything than a moving art work. Probably thought the people talking in it were talking TO her.

Over time, we went to strictly educational tapes, dvds, shows. We DVR'ed all our stuff for later. We are a one TV home. I refuse to allow TVs in bedrooms (normally and so far so good).

By 2 it was Disney Movies, etc. Yellow Submarine was her favorite from age 1 to 2 mostly.

At 3 now she watches Mickey Mouse clubhouse and other stuff like. I won't lie, she also watches the Big Bang Theory with us and South Park!

Walking Dead I watch after she's in bed. Hubby caught me on that one!

Re: Can babies watch TV?

My DD was a "Finding Nemo" addict from age 3 months forward. I never had an issue with is. Not a big believer in the whole "NO TV under age 2" thing. As long as the TV isn't your babysitter and your child plays and interacts in other ways it's perfectly fine. Just another form of entertainment and stimulation for them. Everything is moderation. My DD is a happy, social, well adjusted 3yr old and she's been watching TV since she was a baby.

Re: Can babies watch TV?

Posted by Hofstra26

My DD was a "Finding Nemo" addict from age 3 months forward. I never had an issue with is. Not a big believer in the whole "NO TV under age 2" thing. As long as the TV isn't your babysitter and your child plays and interacts in other ways it's perfectly fine. Just another form of entertainment and stimulation for them. Everything is moderation. My DD is a happy, social, well adjusted 3yr old and she's been watching TV since she was a baby.

Re: Can babies watch TV?

my dd is 5 months and we live in a one bedroom apartment right now so we spend most of our day in the living room , her bouncy , swing and floor time is here..she loves mickey mouse club house ....she can be in mid scream and hear it on and suddenly stop crying and screaming ( lil weird ) she laughs at it sometimes and smiles .

she has watched some shows we watch but not staring at the tv full time i play with her so she glances at it ..but its def back round noise for her...she loves hearing the disney channel .

Re: Can babies watch TV?

Posted by MrsECullen7319

Posted by Hofstra26

My DD was a "Finding Nemo" addict from age 3 months forward. I never had an issue with is. Not a big believer in the whole "NO TV under age 2" thing. As long as the TV isn't your babysitter and your child plays and interacts in other ways it's perfectly fine. Just another form of entertainment and stimulation for them. Everything is moderation. My DD is a happy, social, well adjusted 3yr old and she's been watching TV since she was a baby.

ITA...my DD is 5 months and doesnt watch a lot of tv, but I have it on at times throughout the day. If she turns to watch it, Ill switch the channel to Nick Jr and let her watch...she usually loses interest after 15 minutes, and I do not do this every day so I think its fine!

My mom laughed at me when I told her I didnt let DD watch too much tv, and she told me that at her age I LOVED sesame street and Mr Rogers...I def dont have ADD!

Re: Can babies watch TV?

my DD is 6m old and loves tv. we let her watch PBS Kids for about a half hour to an hour a day. we hang out in the living room where we have a big tv on the wall so she is naturally attracted to watching it. when we aren't actively watching i either turn it off or i leave PBS Kids on in the background.

despite the AAP report, my PED says its fine in moderation. in her opinion the report is ultimately more to warn parents not to let TV parent the children .. its not meant to say that TV is evil and children should never ever ever be near it.

that being said, shes been in the room when we've watched walking dead and breaking bad. i try to turn her away from the tv. DH doesn't get it but i dont like the idea of her watching that stuff!!

Message edited 11/23/2011 5:22:14 PM.

Re: Can babies watch TV?

both my kids have been watching TV since the day they were born.

both have TV in their rooms (they each got one for their 2nd birthday)

and honestly... neither can care less if the TV is on or not.

they are 4 & 2. they would rather play and learn then sit and watch tv.

my friends kids who arent allowed tv time, crave it like a drug... its sad... they dont turn the tv on until both kids are in bed, so when they go to friends house and the tv is on, they are glued to it.

the tv is fine at that age...

Re: Can babies watch TV?

I grew up tv in every room on all the time, i'm not damaged, at least not by much

my attention span is weak, my listening skills are lacking, but I was always A+ student and well rounded

I always wondered my attention span and listening skills could be a result of growing up with a tv in the background all.the.time.

So I'm doing things a bit different with DS. I still show a little in moderation, maybe 15 min a day, but some days nothing.

Here is something to ponder:

http://www.janetlansbury.com/2011/11/no-need-for-tv-baby/

Oh yeah, and AAP says "no tv under 2" they deem it damaging for infants.

Message edited 11/23/2011 6:16:14 PM.

Re: Can babies watch TV?