3 month old loves watching TV

[Sterla]

So, I'm probably completely overthinking things here... but should I be concerned that my 3 month old DS loves watching TV? I don't want him to grow up watching TV all day long, but is it too early to be worrying about that kind of thing? He's really drawn to it - turning his head to watch it if he can whether he's lying on the floor or being held. I guess it''s because of all the light and movement and colour?

Like I said, I'm probably overthinking things .

[AliBaby]

I have just started to noice DD fixating on the tv at times. It suddenly catches her eye! She was facinated by deal or no deal the other night and I think it was becasue of all the bright colours! I have no idea whether its too early. Lets hope someone pops in that knows

[BabyQ]

Ditto to the above! Feeling a bit embarrassed about it....will be watching this space

[Glamourcide]

I don't think it's a problem... DD used to be riveted when the TV was on as a baby, now she's a toddler and I can't get her to sit still and watch it or a DVD for two minutes to save myself!! At that age, they love the motion, colours, and sounds; as they get older and mobile they discover that playing and doing things themselves is way more fun than staring at the idiot box

So don't stress, if anything I think a bit of TV is good for them for stimulation, kwim?? Like I said, the colours, the noise, the motion - can't hurt, I don't see how?? And as long as you're not plonking them in front of it 24/7 and teaching them to let it entertain them full-time rather than amuse themselves, they'll soon find other ways of keeping themselves occupied

[Beautitude]

He he DS loves TV especially top gear, dh tells me that he only likes the uk one though not the australian one. Ill be interested to see if anyone states that there is an issue with this. Im not getting too concerned at this stage but i have noticed now that ds is rolling he rolls on purpose to look at the tv, for us its the only way to get him to do tummy time for a period of time without screaming.

[AJC]

DS loves tv too. I actually used it to help encourage him onto the other side of his head (he was favouring one side). I like to have him a reasonable distance away from it not right on top of it.

[Georgi]

At DS 6 week check up the Paed lectured us about TV & suggested childen under 2 should have zero tv time & over 2year old no more than 30 mins a day. Apparently studies showed that kids who watch TV had an IQ 7points lower than those who didn't.

It frightend me at first, but TV is sometimes a saviour in this house. If DS is whingy & clingy, I pop him in front of baby einstein for 25mins so I can have some quiet time. I'd say it's a bit of a blessing that they like to watch TV cause if you're at your wits end at least you can plop them in front of the box to keep them entertained for a bit.

DS has loved TV from very young. He also likes Deal or No Deal & LOVES Ready Steady Cook. Though I don't turn the TV on anymore as I know he will sit there & watch it.

I would say he watches his Baby Einstein DVD once, every few days. Surely that can't hurt!

[[M]umma[M]ia]

Mia is a TV head. Now shes crawling she tries to get inside it. I wouldnt worry about it.

[LaDeeDa]

DS LOVES it too.... he can sit through Dora and Blue's clues before wanting me....

I feel like a really bad mum but it means I can eat something and do the washing etc.....

[Glamourcide]

...Paed lectured us about TV & suggested childen under 2 should have zero tv time & over 2year old no more than 30 mins a day. Apparently studies showed that kids who watch TV had an IQ 7points lower than those who didn't.

But... is watching TV the SOLE link to lower IQ, or is it a combination of factors - eg, parents who don't let their kids watch TV are more likely to be interacting with their kids by doing things like reading, teaching them through play etc, whereas those who plonk the kids in front of the TV are less likely to be trying to educate their kids, or are less likely to have high IQ's themselves, kwim??
I don't place any restrictions on DD's TV time, she doesn't watch it anyway so it's on purely for background noise and chances are if you dropped by my house, you'd see the TV on behind us while we play dress-ups or read a story or are doing some other activity which I feel would be helping out her IQ - but a lot of people who watch a lot of TV do just that, stare at the box and don't stimulate their minds in other ways.

So, personally I find these studies and statistics to be relatively flawed, as they only take into account *one* link, instead of looking at other factors in a child's life which could be contributing to any problems...

But, each to their own I just don't think any research based on one factor would be enough to convince me that no TV-time, period, is best, kwim?

[Sterla]

It sounds like bubs are pretty naturally attracted to tv then. I spend plenty of time playing with DS... the only time he's only watching tv is usually when DH and I are eating tea, but our tv is on most of the day.

Sounds like it's not really anything to worry about then .

[Georgi]

GOTHMUM, Yeah, I don't know much about the survey, just that it was mainly regarding the Baby Einstein series. Which I think, are great. I guess the kids were plonked in front of the telly & made to watch it while doing nothing else. As I said, it did worry me at first, but I do agree with you

[BabyQ]

mine loves watching jon & kate plus 8...maybe tv is attractive because of the constant movement and contrasting colours?

[Heaven]

Oh DD loves the TV too, lol. When she's lying on the lounge playing with me she'll turn her head to look. She sits up there with Dad at night when she's cranky and watches the colours for a bit. Keeps her interested for 5 mins so I can eat dinner.

[Arcadia]

I find TV a great distraction when bub is cranky and won't interact. I think she likes the zone out effect, especially in the evenings. I don't see how the TV is any different to all the mobiles out there that flash coloured lights and play music to bub...