I know, you aren't suppose to expose your kid to TV until they are 2 yrs old, but I am guilty of having it on while he's in the room. I've read the studies and I know that being exposed to TV as even background noise isn't optimal for cognitive development. I'm trying to cut back and it's not like I have it on all day, but I must admit I'm finding this parenting rule i.e. guideline pretty hard to follow. I like having the TV on for background noise or when I'm doing household chores etc. I know in the big scheme of it all, he will be fine, but I feel guilty! Tell me I'm among friends! 
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How about turning on some music? When I feel like the house is too quiet, I'll either play some kiddie music for them or just some of my music.
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@Andrea: Very good idea about the kiddie music. Lately, I've had NPR and that's helped but I will say I miss TV! LOL
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@Clementine: No worries mama! You're not the only one.
In the grand scheme of things, this should not even be a passing blip on your parenting radar. My MIL likes to show my LO Baby Einstein on youtube . . . *sigh* (My LO just turned 8 months!). It is one of the those things that I have just had to let go of . . .
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TV is on all day at my house, I wouldn't worry a bit, worse things we could be doing
Our LOs will survive!
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I am guilty of Mickey Mouse to sneak a 15 min catnap. LO is up every 1-2 hours at night, a little Mickey Mouse won't kill her
Plus, I watched a ton - a TON - of tv from an early age and I'm smart. So no worries
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I wouldn't worry too much about it. If we always adhered to what we're not supposed to do, we would all be living in bubbles and/or all parents everywhere would be going crazy. I'm definitely guilty of using Baby Einstein or Mr. Rogers to get a shower!
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Don't worry about it! Do what keeps you sane and happy!
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We have the tv on all the time. She is only 7 weeks so she can't watch it but I agree I have it on for background noise.
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I feel like people say they don't do this, but most families do! In my little circle of mommy friends, IRL, half have the TV on all day. And, they aren't adult shows either (like the news or something) so the kids might lose interest, they are Nick Jr, or Disney.
We watch 2 hours of TV a day, I need it in order to wake up.... DD is three, so I guess it is ok. But, DS is 14 months. What am I suppose to do? Keep him in another room? He doesn't even really watch it.
I say, do it and be proud! It isn't like you are using it as a babysitter all day. -
I've read all of the studies so far (whih are very limited) and I do take them very seriously, but I really believe that the studies do not tell you whether the kids who were exposed to tv were getting any kind of interaction outside of it. I try not to turn on the tv until like. 4 or 5, but then it's on all night.
I spend a ton of time reading, playing, singing... And three is quiet time too. I kind of worry about it, but realistically I don't think background noise is a big deal. But I will limit lo watching it. He's usually facing away.
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I feel like TV watching was pretty popular -- or at least not as maligned as it is today -- when we were kids, and I think we all turned out OK. At least, I did.
The TV is always on in our house, at least when DH is home, with sports, and I've noticed LO craning toward it more (he's 12 weeks) and I just turn him away. I'm not really concerned with the background-noise of it. I've been watching Grey's Anatomy on Netflix while nursing him since he was one week old, so... at the very least, you're in good company with me.
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I used to keep the tv on when LO was a baby and napping in my arms. She wouldn't lay down anywhere, only wanted my arms, and I'd get bored!
Once she started playing and got older I stopped putting the tv on though. But she does get to watch a show when I'm not feeling well, and she's not two yet. We started that at 20 months. Sometimes the benefits outweigh the risks, and I feel like that's the case here.
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The TV is on a lot in our house, but we try to engage her whenever she's awake and at home, but it is on in the background.
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I'm ok without the TV as background noise and the nanny doesn't watch during the day either, but whenever DH gets home, the first thing he does is turn it on. He can't function without that noise! LO is 3.5 months and has definitely begun to show some significant interest in it, but I figure it's fine since it's only about 2 hours until her bedtime and we do our best to face her away.
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