Baby Who Watches Cartoons

My second child was exposed to a lot more TV/videos at a much younger age than my first. If the older kid is watching, it's hard to make the baby NOT watch, especially if you just need a minute to yourself. I just tried to keep it to less than 2 hours a day. The problem with TV and small children is that it's overstimulating. They may look like little zombies while they sit in front of it, but the lights and sound are too much for their senses, and it supposedly could lead to ADHD later on. I don't know about ADHD, but I definitely believe it's too stimulating. I've noticed with my two that there is a direct relationship with the amount of TV/videos and the amount of cranky, whiny behavior. But, that still didn't change the fact that in those early days (my son's first year) it was the only way I could keep them occupied so I could cook a meal or something. Now that the little one is older (16mo) I try to keep it to one hour most days.

My 10 month old will watch tv sometimes also. She'll watch it for awhile and then move on to something else and will turn to see whats on every so often. In her presence though throughout the entire day the tv is maybe on only a hour or so. My pedi hasn't ever said anything about it but I know at each appt they give me a sheet about development at each month and every time the paper says no videos/dvds/tv are needed. I think mainly they are trying to help you not get in the habit of sticking your child in front of the tv for hours on end and using it as a babysitter. As long as they aren't watching blood/guts/shooting etc I would think they would be ok seeing a little bit each day.

That is very interesting that your doctor said that. I have noticed that my son watches TV too. I starting putting it on PBS for him to watch Barney and sesame street and he will watch a few minutes in his walker then walk off and do something else! I never even thought to ask the doctor either. We thought it was cute, he was watching a concert one night with us on TV and clapped when everyone else applauded after the song. I thought it was really smart of him. I didn't know it might could be harmful. I will ask the doctor at the appt and share with you what mine says.

Personally, I dont see a problem with it as long as they arent sitting there constantly. My kids have never been big tv watchers so they have a hard time making it through a whole 30 minute show so I never really worried about it when they were babies. Did the doctor say why he didnt need to be watching them??

I think some people just go so nutso over the whole tv thing... it's one thing if they just sit there like a couch potato and zone out completely... we keep ours on constantly but they're never in front of it more than 10 minutes or so before they're off doing something else.

My sister, however, wouldn't let her children watch tv until they were 2 years of age... (at all).... because she read it in a book so it must be true -- and if the tv is on now... her kids completely zone out and it just sucks them in. I kinda feel like people just take the whole tv thing so ridiculously.

The FIRST time my oldest (7 years now) smiled was watching Tom and Jerry in his bouncy chair when he was a baby while I was getting ready for work one morning...

I have read about the studies that say there is a relationship between babies watching TV and ADHD. I don't know if these studies are true, but my thinking is why take the chance? I am a teacher, and I have learned that children learn much better by being actively engaged; otherwise, I would sit my students in front of the tv showing educational videos all day. I know every once in a while you need a break, but I don't make tv watching an everyday thing for my child. I know pediatricians don't know everything, but with all their training and experience, I highly value their advice. Just my two cents! When it comes down to it, you have to feel comfortable with whatever you decide.

The one thing that I've read/heard about kids watching cartoons is the effect is has on their attention span. The cartoons nowadays are very jumpy, and they go from one scene to another very quickly. I prefer the Baby Einstein, Little Einstein, Higglytown Heroes, etc. They seem to try to hold the child's attention better than jumping around. Plus, my son has learned a lot from those...language wise and educational. Too much of anything is not good. I wouldn't worry too much about it unless your kids are sitting in front of the tv all day long. If you are a little bothered about it, why not take off 30 minutes of their viewing time? That way they still get some, but not as much as they were.

I have heard the same thing before but I see nothing wrong with it. I think they are saying that so much now since kids are getting to where they prefer TV over beong outdoors, but I think just like with everything else in moderation there should be no problem. My 19 month old LOVES Blues Clues and a lot of Sesame Street (like Journey to Ernie and Elmos world) Occasionally she likes to watch maybe a Barney or something here and there but after about 30 min or so she is ready for story time or to go outdoors. I have seen NOTHING wrong with it! Actually, she has learned a lot from these shows. Her language has picked up a lot lately too and some of it is from watching these lesson centered cartoons. These few minutes each day provide her with learning that she loves and me with a quick shower and lunch so I think you are just fine letting your kids watch some TV as long as they still get plenty of interaction time with you and others away from it. This could also be a bonding time for siblings instead of a time for seperation like the dr suggested.

Y.,

All 3 of my kids have watched tv before the age of one, and all three are just fine. I don't see the big deal in it, however, every kid is different and every parent has a different style of parenting. What ever you think is best for your child is best.

A.

Y. -

I love what Michelle wrote - it's true - your pediatrician does not need to know everything! Especially if they're older with older kids - different generations, different times, really.

With that said, however, my personal opinion (which has absolutely no validity in the parenting expert world), is that this is your decision. Give me an hour and I'll give you hundreds of studies on why TV is bad, and hundreds of studies on why TV isn't bad. Sounds as if you're watching the right kind of programming - Blue's Clues and such - not like Pulp Fiction or Sopranos - so I would not stress over it. If 8 hours out of the day they're in front of the TV, yeah, problem, but 1-2 hours of quality "teaching" type programming so you can attempt to get your sanity back? You go, sister, and don't let other people's snap judgments and opinions get you down.

Both my kids started getting interested in Baby Einstein around 9 months. When I say interested I mean it would hold their attention for 5 or 10 minutes. We're the kind of family that turns the tv on from the time we wake up and it stays on until we go to bed. I put DVD's on for the kids because we don't have cable, but my daughter has never been one to sit in front of the tv. Even though the tv is on they are up running around and playing. My son only recently, within the last couple of months got interested in tv where he'll sit and watch a 30 minute show but it has to be the Backyardigans or the Wiggles. He's into music. Some days we play Wiggles DVD's all day. He doesn't sit in front of the tv all day, but if it goes off he cries. I guess he's listening to the songs while he's playing.

I spoke to my son pedi today on my son's well baby check up and he said absoultely NO TV and No More than 2 hrs per day when he is 2 that is what the American Academy of Pediatrics says because it puts the child in a daze and brainwashes them and he is not learning the correct way and need to be taught by the parents instead of tv.

We need to talk to the children like they were adults not like babies, That will help their speech.

I don't think I totally agree because W/my 15 yr old when he was little all he watched was Barney and Seseme Street about 2-3 hrs a day when he was a about 9 months until about 2-3 and he is VERY gifted. he has been in the gifted and talented classes since he was in 2nd grade, he took his SAT by Duke University 3 yrs early and He is a Sophmore this year and has been in The A honor Roll and was approved for scholarships. I think if we do what is best for our children and it doesn't hurt them we will all be proud. Dr's are not always right or know what is best for our children.

I hope this helps.

Your pediatrician obviously has no idea how much tv his/her own children are probably watching!!! You cannot avoid it with the second child. I'm not a bad mother because I let my children watch tv some, and I get tired of people who are trying to make me feel bad for my choices. Most babies won't watch for an extended time - please don't worry about this.

I've also discovered that my pediatrician doesn't need to know everything - I'm a big girl and can make most decisions for myself. Things that she and I don't agree on (like the tv watching, or bedtime policies...) I don't ask about. If she asks, I just answer the way I think she wants me to. It's not dishonest - I just feel that it's her job to take care of them medically - not emotionally! Keep up the good work as a mom!

Well, you hear something new everyday! My 4 month old actually seems interested in TV sometimes too which really surprised me b/c my two nieces never watched til they were much older. But I'd love to hear more about WHY your pedi thinks its a bad thing. Sometimes I don't know that doctors really have all the answers about stuff like this, seems like more of personal opinion than factual advice. I'll keep watching this post for more info.