Should I feel guilty because sometimes I let my 9 month old watch T.V.?

Question

I read in a book that we shouldn't let babies watch T.V., and that young children should only watch no more than 1 hour...

But...

She just wears me out! She crawls and is learning how to walk, it's hard to keep up with her; we live with my mother in law so I can't get rid of plants and other objects that the baby is always trying to grab, and are dangerous for her... I get tired of chasing after her,trying to keep her safe...

So, every once in a while I just turn the T.V. on and let her watch, for no longer than 20 minutes... just to get a break...

Is this bad?
Should I feel guilty for resorting to the "electronic nanny"?

Thank you for your opinions!

Answer 1

I think if you're playing with her, reading to her, comforting her an appropriate amount that 20 minutes of TV is not bad at all. We all need a 20 minute break, at least! I put in Baby Einstein for my baby and he loves the bright colors and everything.

Answer 2

I used to feel the same way as you - so guilty, but not anymore! My daughter has been watching Baby Einstein videos since she was 4 months old. When she was an infant, we let her watch 2 videos 2x/day. Each video is 30 minutes. She is now 2 years, 2 months, and she still loves her Einstein videos. I only let her watch educational/useful stuff with no commercials, e.g., Sesame Street, Barney, Dora, Baby Einstein - about 2-3 hours each day at most. Don't get me wrong...I do all kinds of things with her, too. We do flash cards, puzzles, read lots of books, play with blocks, etc. She is smart as a whip because of all of these things. Since she turned 2, she has known all of her shapes, colors, animals, animal sounds, numbers (1-20 in English and Spanish), ABCs, and can even recognize words like Dog, Cat and Zoe (her name). Her vocabulary is well over 200 words, and due in no small part to Baby Einstein videos and books. The heck with the naysayers...tv can be a great educational tool. Zoe is living proof! Good luck to you and DON'T FEEL GUILTY!!

Answer 3

My kids are now 16 &19 both watched TV, they loved watching sesame street while I cleaned the kitchen or chatted on the phone. A little TV never hurt anyone, if it did I think we'd see alot more zombies walking in our streets. Just try to keep it educational so you get the most out of the time she's watching. Try to balance it with maybe a walk outside or a trip to the park. Enjoy each other, they grow up SO fast! =)

Answer 4

I have a 3 year old and a nine month old and I have found that when I am tempted to turn on the tube I just put music on instead. It distracts them and gives me a bit of a break...but not 20 minutes LOL. It might work and remember if you are beign the best mom you can then don't feel guilty about your decisions. Good luck!

Answer 5

Your not doing any damage. Right now he's just interested in the colours and sounds. When he starts crawling and walking he will have no interest in it anymore. Even babies get sick of thier toys! But you should start trying to get out of the house for your own sanity. A happy mommy is a happy baby. Don't just leave him one night, but start with baby steps. Get your hubby to watch him as you go for an hour bath. Next time, 2 hours. Next time 3 hours, go for coffee with a freind. Start visiting family/friends with your baby more often. Try and let them hold your son while your sittin beside him, then move onto the other couch Mommies are people, we need me-time too

Answer 6

Don't feel guilty for letting your baby watch tv. I have 3 kids who have all watched tv from the time they were very young. Supposedly, kids who watch a lot of tv aren't as smart as kids who don't, but my kids blow that theory out of the water. All 3 of my kids are very smart, so obviously watching tv didn't hurt them. If you can, try putting plants and stuff up high where she can't reach. Anyway, relax and don't feel guilty about the tv.

Answer 7

Well there are educational DVD's like Brainy Baby and Baby Einstein. You can purchase those for your child so that they can stimulate your brain while they watch tv. But try to let them watch it 1 hour a day and not more. Put him or her in a walker so that they can entertain themselves.

Answer 8

when my son was young, around 5 or 6 months, the only thing that kept him happy was baby einstein videos. he would sit there and watch them forever! he loved them. he would barely even look at us when we walk in the room. tv for babied isn't like tv for adults. adults watch it to just veg out and we get no brain stimulation from it. babies have never seen anything like tv before, so it makes their brain go crazy. now that he's older, he won't watch anything.

Answer 9

As long as you're paying attention to her otherwise, and it sounds like you are, I don't think there's a problem. Like some others said, maybe pop in an educational video sometimes, so you can feel like she's learning something while you're taking a well-deserved break? Good luck.

Answer 10

I know you aren't supposed to, but I think most of us are guilty. Just try to keep it as sort as you possibly can.