https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 05 May 2026 02:32:33 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-bad-is-screentime-for-infants#post-1378373 Mon, 27 Jan 2014 11:32:04 +0000 MoonMoon 1378373@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>In the early months, with cluster feeds and no sleep, I don't know how I could have survived without my phone and TV. Now that baby is older and notices the screens a bit more, I'm more aware and try not to have him looking at the screens. We don't avoid screens all together, though. There are some songs on YouTube that he and his dad listen to all the time, and we do family dance parties using YouTube too. As he becomes older, we'll reevaluate, I'm sure. It just hasn't turned out to be as big an issue as I had assumed before having a kid, though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-bad-is-screentime-for-infants#post-1378338 Mon, 27 Jan 2014 11:22:47 +0000 Mrs. Pen 1378338@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm aware of the research and I know that it is not the best for furthering positive development, however I agree with PP that there are a million things that could screw them up and screentime is something I choose to not obsess over. Although I largely agree with @Mrs. Twine, I also am super laid back. Part of this is coming from my circumstances too - with being in school FT, J spends more time playing iPad games and watching Daniel Tiger or Signing Time than I would prefer. I feel bad, I do. But if I drive myself crazy over it, I might as well drop out of school so I can focus on him 100%. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-bad-is-screentime-for-infants#post-1378323 Mon, 27 Jan 2014 11:18:20 +0000 Foodnerd81 1378323@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Dagny: Thanks for posting this! He pretty much said a lot of what I instinctively felt, but I can show this to DH as evidence that I'm right :) </p> <p>I always loved Mr. Rogers but that clip showed me why! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-bad-is-screentime-for-infants#post-1378129 Mon, 27 Jan 2014 10:12:14 +0000 googly-eyes 1378129@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've always left the tv on. I need something to listen to and have as background noise because staying at home with a baby/toddler is so repetitive!! But dd barely watches the tv at all. She just isn't interested. So in our case I think as long as I wasn't too distracted by it that I missed something with her it wasn't a big deal. It's a little harder now that she is a toddler because the meaningful interactions come less from feeding/changing/etc and take more effort than they did before (meaning she moves quicker and needs more mental stimulation so she often needs my full attention whereas when she was an infant I could listen to something and multitask with her easily.) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-bad-is-screentime-for-infants#post-1378061 Mon, 27 Jan 2014 09:44:21 +0000 delight 1378061@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm not a big fan of letting LO watch the tv, and during the day I don't watch tv at all. However, we go to the movies once a week and although she sleeps for most of it, she is definitely watching and loving the big screen too. And these days, 10 mins of tv during dinner is the only way we get to eat in peace. She has even taken over my spot on the couch. She starts solids in a few weeks though and we will eat at the table as a family then.</p> <p>[attach=3209/14/n02e9x.450x600.image.jpg] </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-bad-is-screentime-for-infants#post-1328013 Wed, 08 Jan 2014 11:49:11 +0000 Greentea 1328013@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just turned off tv for us, all of us this last week since reading this. I never had a tv until recently and I am hoping to raise lo that way (with occasional family movie night).</p> <p>It has actually gone really well. DH and I read to each other and visit again at night (so it is/ was affecting us as adults I think more than we realized too.) I remember someone once said "people don't care about what is going on in their lives as long as they can watch a little tv at night, it is such a comfort." Anyhow it has been an interesting project in our house and yesterday I actually played my guitar for the first time since having lo. We'll see how it goes but right now I am kind of excited about it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-bad-is-screentime-for-infants#post-1312670 Thu, 02 Jan 2014 08:12:07 +0000 looch 1312670@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I avoided it the first year, but that was largely because of our set up. I did ALL feedings in his room, where there was no TV and I was adamant about not being on my phone while he was eating.</p> <p>Then, at around a year, I started to relax the rules a bit and I might have the TV on as background noise. Now, at age 3, I don't notice a behavioral difference on days when he has had screen time or not (he's boundary testing and I feel like we're in time out more than we are out right now), what I have noticed though is that he can't seem to "break away" and do another activity on his own, I have to intervene. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-bad-is-screentime-for-infants#post-1312668 Thu, 02 Jan 2014 08:10:13 +0000 edelweiss 1312668@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Dagny: thanks for posting that video, i thought it was really helpful. i know it doesn't encompass everything about media and children, but it was a nice concise presentation--i shared it with my husband. thanks again!</p> <p>@Vegmama: that example is really going to stick with me. thanks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-bad-is-screentime-for-infants#post-1312657 Thu, 02 Jan 2014 08:03:26 +0000 knittylady 1312657@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I definitely try to avoid it. That being said, at 6 months and change there have been maybe 2 or 3 times that I've phoned it in and let him watch 15 minutes of whatever is on because I just needed a break. It was that or me jumping out the window. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-bad-is-screentime-for-infants#post-1312584 Thu, 02 Jan 2014 02:37:21 +0000 erinpye 1312584@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't think it's a huge deal. Since I've had HG this pregnancy, DD's gotten her fair share of Sprout and iPad letter games. She can take it or leave it, but it doesn't seem to affect her negatively, and I don't stress over it if she wants to watch Caillou. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-bad-is-screentime-for-infants#post-1312559 Thu, 02 Jan 2014 01:20:46 +0000 sarac 1312559@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I avoided it for my daughter until about 18 months. Now she enjoys it, asks for it, but she doesn't miss it. And it doesn't seem to affect her behavior if she watches it. I'm not a big fan of it before 2, and I held out as long as I could. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-bad-is-screentime-for-infants#post-1312442 Wed, 01 Jan 2014 22:41:12 +0000 lemondrop 1312442@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I go with moderation in everything. Mama needs a break too, so we use screen time for that. I'm human and can't be "on" all the time entertaining him, and don't put zero screen time as a big priority, but I also make sure he's not a tv/ phone zombie and gets lots of physical activity too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-bad-is-screentime-for-infants#post-1312424 Wed, 01 Jan 2014 22:26:02 +0000 Mamasig 1312424@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My 15 month old watches TV but I don't worry about it. It's mainly background noise. He has plenty of interaction besides just the TV. Now if at some point, I notice it affects his behavior then we will adjust as needed. But honestly, a little TV viewing is not that big a deal to me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-bad-is-screentime-for-infants#post-1312420 Wed, 01 Jan 2014 22:24:42 +0000 winniebee 1312420@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I feel like as an infant they don't know what's going on. </p> <p>With our 19 month old he has had too much screen time while traveling and over the holidays and Iy think it affects his behavior negatively. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-bad-is-screentime-for-infants#post-1312404 Wed, 01 Jan 2014 22:16:40 +0000 blackbird 1312404@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Meh it's background stuff at this point right? Like you said, you aren't plopping your baby down in front of it. On a scale of 1-10, I rate this a 2 on my list of things I worry about screwing my baby up over ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-bad-is-screentime-for-infants#post-1312395 Wed, 01 Jan 2014 22:10:44 +0000 Dagny 1312395@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Here is a great Ted talk on media and LOs.<br /> <a href="http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=BoT7qH_uVNo&#038;desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DBoT7qH_uVNo" rel="nofollow">http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=BoT7qH_uVNo&#038;desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DBoT7qH_uVNo</a></p> <p>Personally, I've chosen to avoid all screen time for as long as I can (LO is 8 mo). I know I won't be able to do this forever, realistically, but I'm gonna try to limit it as much as I can. I definitely watched TV when LO was a newborn though. As soon as he started paying attention to it, I stopped having the TV on when he is awake. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-bad-is-screentime-for-infants#post-1312392 Wed, 01 Jan 2014 22:08:59 +0000 daniellemybelle 1312392@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My LO is 2 months as well &amp; if she looks at the TV, I turn her away, but it is on when she's in the room all the time. I don't worry about it too much - I just don't let her actively watch. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-bad-is-screentime-for-infants#post-1312386 Wed, 01 Jan 2014 22:06:31 +0000 Lindsay05 1312386@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think just like everything else, there needs to be boundaries. As soon as it becomes a 'problem', then compromises need to be made. I grew up in front of the tv and I turned out fine. I guess it all depends on your own personal views of screentime. There is a difference of plopping your child in front of the tv all day, and allowing 1 or 2 episodes of dora and then change activity. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-bad-is-screentime-for-infants#post-1312384 Wed, 01 Jan 2014 22:06:12 +0000 Vegmama 1312384@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm not sure it's bad ... But, I saw a study or news story that showed their brains weren't stimulated when seeing a screen. The example: the baby's brain (when monitored) would light up like crazy when their mom &amp; dad were in front of them, talking to them. When the same words &amp; expressions from the parent were shown to them on a screen, the brain activity was greatly reduced. Like, almost as if nothing was happening. </p> <p>This opened my eyes ... I found it really interesting. Like Mae said, you'll drive yourself crazy trying to do everything. "Perfectly". :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-bad-is-screentime-for-infants#post-1312381 Wed, 01 Jan 2014 22:04:49 +0000 hilsy85 1312381@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>As an infant, I really think it's not a big deal, as long as it doesn't replace meaningful interaction. As a toddler, I think it becomes a bigger deal. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-bad-is-screentime-for-infants#post-1312380 Wed, 01 Jan 2014 22:04:04 +0000 Foodnerd81 1312380@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I also feel like a tiny bit here and there won't be horrible but I try to avoid it as much as possible. Early on I would watch tv while I was feeding her all the time, but now she cranes her neck to look at the tv instead of eating- so annoying! So, I don't watch tv while she is awake. </p> <p>@Mrs. Twine: I'd like to see the research. Dh and I are trying to come to a compromise on how much the tv is on when he's home on the weekends so I'd like to read more about it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-bad-is-screentime-for-infants#post-1312335 Wed, 01 Jan 2014 21:26:21 +0000 Periwinkle 1312335@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Twine: I would love some more information on the research you have, if you are comfortable sharing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-bad-is-screentime-for-infants#post-1312328 Wed, 01 Jan 2014 21:22:45 +0000 Charm54 1312328@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm an everything in moderation kind of girl. I'm not plopping my 4 month old in front of The Disney Channel, but if I'm watching the Ellen show while feeding her and she happens to stare at the tv I don't stress over it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-bad-is-screentime-for-infants#post-1312325 Wed, 01 Jan 2014 21:21:41 +0000 Mae 1312325@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My personal opinion (based on no fact at all)? There are a million things that will affect your kid-- good and bad. You can drive yourself crazy trying to do everything just exactly perfectly… or you can do your best and enjoy your life without stressing out. I don't feel like TV is worth stressing out over. I expect our kid will see TV a bit, especially in the first year while I am nursing and just hanging out with her before she can DO too much. Once she is old enough to play more I'll probably try to keep her away from it a bit more, and not use TV as a babysitter. But regardless, all things being equal, I don't think TV is going to ruin my child. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-bad-is-screentime-for-infants#post-1312324 Wed, 01 Jan 2014 21:20:03 +0000 matador84 1312324@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My 5 year old nephew had a ton, TON of screen time when he was little, and still does today. Phones, iPads, TV, computer games...he has a really short attention span and has trouble focusing in conversations. He throws fits when he doesn't get screentime in. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-bad-is-screentime-for-infants#post-1312313 Wed, 01 Jan 2014 21:15:56 +0000 cascademom 1312313@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>As an infant, it didn't bother me. I would watch tv during nursing and when we were wearing him out. Now as a toddler, I work really hard to limit it. I keep the tv off while he plays. It only goes on when he's in bed. Interesting to hear the behavior effects at 2+ years old. I'll keep that in mind for future. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-bad-is-screentime-for-infants#post-1312240 Wed, 01 Jan 2014 20:42:08 +0000 HLK208 1312240@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrbee: that's been our exact experience with screen time too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-bad-is-screentime-for-infants#post-1312233 Wed, 01 Jan 2014 20:34:46 +0000 mrbee 1312233@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm sure there were things going on that I wasn't aware of, but our son Charlie got a decent amount of screentime early on and I didn't notice a huge difference in his behavior. Then we cut out most screentime, and he still seemed the same. </p> <p>Then he got some more screentime when he hit 2 or 3, and wow... screentime had a HUGE impact on his behavior at that point! Even still now at 4, if he's watched a video... he's more likely to throw tantrums and meltdown later that day.</p> <p>So my general sense is that at least for our kids, screentime can result in some serious behavioral changes. I have no insight into how it affects infants though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-bad-is-screentime-for-infants#post-1312230 Wed, 01 Jan 2014 20:33:30 +0000 Mrs. Chocolate 1312230@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Honestly I dont think some screen time is bad. You have to judge yourself as a parent as with every decision made for your child. With my son I tried to limit his screen time but honestly TV helped expand his vocabulary and imagination in ways I probably would never have been able to alone. With my daughter she gets some screen time regardless because my son is watching and when we are in the room with him she cant help but see it too. I dont think a little watching will hurt in the long run but thats what I think and Im not an expert so do what makes you feel comfortable </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-bad-is-screentime-for-infants#post-1312227 Wed, 01 Jan 2014 20:31:13 +0000 Mrs. Twine 1312227@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My personal opinion: might have long-term ramifications and is best avoided in infancy/early childhood. There is enough research-based evidence out there to support that early screentime (and I include smart phones, computers, TV, and anything related in this category) can potentially have long-term ramifications. I avoid/avoided it with my girls. It just didn't seem like the positives outweighed the negatives. I would encourage you to do some of your own research. There are lots of excellent books on the subject (I can wall you a list, if you're interested), as well as scholarly articles. That way you can make an informed decision. :) </p>