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01-13-2013 at 4:00 PM
christinas...
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Newborns and t.v.

My 10.5 week old has taken a liking to the television.  SO much so it is all she looks at.  I have had to turn it off while feeding her becuase she won't pay attention to eating.  My friend told how dare I let my child watch television because she will have dulled senses and more than likely have learning delays. How true is this?  Noting I have read so far has talked about television and it's effects. Being a newbie, I am paranoid that I have ruined my child.

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01-13-2013 at 4:19 PM
kfrix13
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I think your friend is overreacting. The fact that you are turning it off and it's not on ALL day long is fine.

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01-13-2013 at 4:19 PM
mejane123
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If it distracts her while she's eating, either wait until she latches to turn it in or don't watch tv while she eats. 

No, you're not going to ruin her. That's just silly.   She's discovering things that are interesting to her senses, which is a good thing. My kid finds window blinds fascinating. If she's having a meltdown and iturn her to face the windows,she chills out almost immediately.  They find things that are pleasing to them, which is normal and good.  TBH, I don't see her being mezmerized by the tv as any different than her liking a mobile over the crib at that age, which is moving pictures and shapes meant to soothe. If she reacts the same way to the tv, that's hardly surprising. 

Now, if you used the TV as a baby sitter or she were older and fighting you when you tell her to turn it off, that would be a problem.   

 
01-13-2013 at 4:27 PM
saturdayni...
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I don't think tv is good as a babysitter, but I also see no big deal with a baby glancing at the tv (or staring) while you watch. We were always nervous while fast forwarding the dvr, but not for any particular reason. As long as your tv isn't on all day I don't think it's a problem. I have read about excessive tv being linked with ADHD, but not being a proven cause for delays or dulled senses.

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01-13-2013 at 4:27 PM
Kemare20
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Studies have shown that children who watch a lot of TV during the first 2 years have language and learning delays compared to children who were not exposed. Google "Children under 2 and TV" and you will get tons of articles talking about it.

I believe this is children who watch 2 or more hours every day... but research it yourself and get the facts :)


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01-13-2013 at 4:59 PM
BrittanyDo...
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I was just reading that more than an hour of tv in children under two has been proven to cause speech delays and attention problems as they grow up.

Under an hour has no benefits or downfalls. I think as long as you aren't plopping her down in a bouncy seat in front of the tv for hours, you are probably okay. 



 
01-13-2013 at 5:42 PM
Kingston54
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Kemare20:
Studies have shown that children who watch a lot of TV during the first 2 years have language and learning delays compared to children who were not exposed. Google "Children under 2 and TV" and you will get tons of articles talking about it.I believe this is children who watch 2 or more hours every day... but research it yourself and get the facts :


This is what I've heard too. We tried to make not Til 2 without DS watching TV but it didn't happen. His speech and language is amazing. But he wasn't watching very much TV. And he definitely wasn't watching it until he was at least one... But like pp said, I don't think glancing here and there is a major problem...

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01-13-2013 at 5:52 PM
watermelle...
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No you haven't and are not going to "ruin her" but I wouldn't keep the TV on all day either.

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01-13-2013 at 6:47 PM
christinas...
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By no means do we plop her in front of the television as means of babysitting.  My husband has it on constantly but we don't purposly let her watch television.  She just happens glance at it a few times a day.  I have asked DH to turn her away from it while holding her but he doesn't listen.  Her swing, and bouncy seat are always turned away from it and her playmat is in another room.  The problem is mostly in the evenings.  I have noticed that she is not as vocal as she was a few weeks ago.  I don't think that has anything to do with the tv but it does concern me.  I have not problem keeping the tv off but tell that to my parents (daycare) and DH.  They don't seem to think anything of it.


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01-13-2013 at 8:15 PM
g8trkim
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Your friend is overreacting. It's not as though you're propping her in front of the TV to encourage her to watch. It's normal for babies to look toward sound and lights, that's all it is. She will be fine.

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01-14-2013 at 11:23 AM
CK2MD
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For info about the detrimental effects of TV on children under 2yrs old (which is the age under which the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends NO TV), see Jenn Berman's SuperBaby and John Medina's Brain Rules for Baby. Even shows like Sesame Street, which have been shown to have a positive effect for older children, has negative effects on kids <3yo, including a negative impact on language development. Disney, which owns the Baby Einstein line, revoked many of its adertised claims and offered refunds to parents who had bought their products for these reasons.

For an overview: http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1650352,00.html

 


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01-14-2013 at 11:04 PM
RissKay
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I can't help but wonder if the "speech delays" people are finding aren't necessarily a lack of ability to understand and communicate, but rather the lack of practice doing so, because they were silently watching the TV. Just a curious thought. 

I think your friend is way overreacting. Sure, getting kids up and moving is important, but FFS, at 10.5 weeks old, how is it ruining your child?  


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01-15-2013 at 2:06 PM
BrittanyDo...
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RissKay:

I can't help but wonder if the "speech delays" people are finding aren't necessarily a lack of ability to understand and communicate, but rather the lack of practice doing so, because they were silently watching the TV. Just a curious thought. 

I think your friend is way overreacting. Sure, getting kids up and moving is important, but FFS, at 10.5 weeks old, how is it ruining your child?  

 They aren't sure of the exact reasoning, but they think it's because they aren't interacting with a human while watching tv and interaction with adults is how they learn to speak. Also, because even if an adult is present while they are watching, the adult is probably distracted. 



 
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