Is it an ABSOLUTE NO-NO to let an 11 month old watch about 10 min. of t.v. twice a day (tops)?...?

Question

i read in a book that babies under 2 years of age should NOT watch t.v. at all ( I read this after my mother in law had already let the baby watch a good bit of t.v. when the baby was like 5 months old ) Since then, we haven't let her watch any t.v., until a couple of days ago when her nana wanted to watch t.v. while holding the baby (what's a dad to do? I don't wanna argue with my wife's mom!)
Anyway, we discovered that when the baby's too fussy and it's time for a nap, SOMETIMES we just sit in front of the t.v. and put on "Blues Clues" or something like that. In 5- 10 min. she'll be out like a light. This is just an "emergency" tactic and we don't always need to do it.
Is this TOO bad?
Thanks!

Answer 1

It doesn't seem too bad. Im not a parenting expert or anything, but the first memory of TV I have is from Sesame Street when I was about three. I learned a lot and became very interested in science from Bill Nye later on. I dont see what it matters...the kid could just stare at a mobile for 10 minutes. Whats the difference? Hes not going to remember.

Answer 2

Let me be the one who goes against the grain and tell you....yes, I know the guidelines. No, I did not abide by them. My child is about to be 3 and has watched as much tv as he wanted his whole life. The one rule I do have is NO adult tv AT ALL until after he is in bed. So I have watched hours upon hours of Blues Clues, Dora, Diego, Sesame Street and the likes. I credit these shows with helping my child learn. I think the most harm that it does is make them not be able to focus on the "real world" more. But you have to work against that and make sure they are doing other activities, playing outside and learning in every other way they can. I am a stay at home mom and I have to admit that I would have been stir crazy if it were not for Noggin, Sprout and Disney.

Answer 3

T.v. isn't bad for your child my child loves clifford,blue's clues curious george winnie the pooh, mickey mouse etc. Where do you think they learn from besides us. That's what it's there for. It's channel 202 and channel 4 they are the best channels on t.v and they even have a channel for the toddlers and pre-k kids they have there very own channel. So no t.v. is not bad for a child. It teaches them counting, abc, numbers, words, objects, it helps you and it teaches them and it helps them understand. Specially If you sit down with your child and make some special time with them just to watch t.v. and talk to them and teach them along with the t.v Just set some time aside just for you and your baby if its only 30 minutes a day. You'll be glad you did. It promotes them to learn more and be proud of there self when they get something right. You shouldn't always go by a book I said I would I was scared I was going to do something wrong but If we all went by the boko all of our kids would graduate by the time there 10 lol. Let them be kids it doesn't last long before there grown.

Answer 4

There isn't a problem with a child watching t.v just make sure its age appropriate, and not watching TV 24/7. I also don't think that an eleven month old really watches TV its probably just a coincidence that she falls asleep when Blues Clues is on.

Answer 5

Don't over think this stuff. This must be your first baby, congrats. Try not to let your little one watch too much t.v. Your baby won't be scarred for life because of a few minutes here and there of t.v time. Everything in moderation and don't rely on the t.v for a fulltime babysitter and you will be fine. If the kid watches a few minutes while you cook dinner it will be ok. You are doing great to be worried, now try not to worry about it.

Answer 6

My child is two and he has been watching TV since about 3 months. I love the Baby Einstein DVDs and recommend them highly. They are made specifically for babies. I am also a pre school teacher and know for a fact that a little TV does no harm. My son has learned many things from the DVDs such as the names of different animals and the sounds they make and even sign language. As with anything you can over do it but a little won't hurt anything.

Answer 7

I wouldn't have her in front of it all day but i don't think a little tv will hurt her. My best friend's little brother watched tv what seemed like 24/7 he was doing 6th grade math in kindergarten, and now is one of the smartest 8th graders i know, he also doesn't have any eyesight problems. WIth that said, try not to use this as her sole form of entertainment. Be creative. My son hates tv. He would rather be outside playing. The second we take him inside he points to the door to go back out. Try and give her other things to do, but don't automatically think she will be a lazy couch potato just because she likes tv.

Answer 8

Heavens, no. I think all these people who say no TV don't have any kids. You obviously have to be careful what they watch, but kid shows are really good now. They're interactive (especially if you watch it with them), have bright lights and colors, etc. I think a little a day is fine, as long as they are getting one-on-one time with you, too. You may want to be careful using the tv to get her to fall alseep because she needs to learn to do that on her own, but all parents have emergency tactics. By all means, go for it! The most important thing is that you love your kid (which you clearly do) and that you spend time with it. Trust yourself and your instincts. Relationships are more important (like that with your mother-in-law) than what they "experts" say, anyway.

Answer 9

The reason they say it is bad, is because of eyes, and with the constant changes of what is on tv, they say that can be linked to ADHD! My daughter watches a lot of tv... but I never let her watch any until she was 2. If you are going to let your child watch tv then try Dora, it is very educational, anything on PBS kids, and Blues is not to bad. I know from expierence once the tv is introduced it is hard to get away. Try not to get your little one having to watch tv to go to bed... I was like that as a kid... up until 3 years ago, and I am still kind of... So, this is your child, and if the worse thing you are doing to your child is letting her watch an educational tv show, then that is not to bad!!!

Answer 10

I don't think it's harmful. I used to always have the TV on in my house (and still do) on some sort of child's program. My son doesn't watch that much TV, he's usually doing something else such as colouring or playing a game, but it's background noise, and he likes the songs! haha....he sits there are sings them. I don't think that parents should be able to use the TV as a babysitter, as a replacement for active parenting, but moderate TV usage is not a bad thing. ANd depending on the shows that you choose, it could be educational for your child, as long as you explain things as they happen.