Do you let your infants watch videos(einsteins etc))

If so how many or how much time?

Re: Do you let your infants watch videos(einsteins etc))

DD is 11 months old and I don't let her watch TV. IMO she doesn't need it at this point. I want her to be creative with her toys and learn to have imagination rather than learning to put the tv on when she is bored.

That being said, if I were a SAHM and needed some time throughout the day to get things done I may feel differently.

Re: Do you let your infants watch videos(einsteins etc))

Starting around 3 months we let her watch baby einstein...the lullaby one. She had a witching hour between 5-7pm. The video really calmed her down. She usually fell asleep to it so maybe 30 minutes tops.

Re: Do you let your infants watch videos(einsteins etc))

No, we tried (and still do) to minimize all TV for DD and never put videos in specifically for her.

Now, at 20 months, I will occasionally turn something on for her but only for practice-we take long car trips and I think having a "treat" of watching some DVDs on the ride might be good for all of us.

Re: Do you let your infants watch videos(einsteins etc))

I have a 4-pack (Baby Beethoven, Numbers, Neptune(Water) and Animals) - I use them every day when he's settling in for his morning nap, he doesn't really "get" them but the music seems to help him settle down!!!

Re: Do you let your infants watch videos(einsteins etc))

We got Baby Mozart as a gift and I think we started putting it on when DS was about 3 months old, mainly for the music. I know everyone has their own feelings about this topic, but I will tell you that I think Baby Einstein is a lifesaver for us. My DS is now 17 months and even now, if he is having a major meltdown and nothing else will calm him down, Baby Mozart still works like a charm. I don't know if it's because when he was little I would rock with him when it was on and he has soothing memories, or the music is just that soothing, but I am glad I have it.

As for how long, it depends on the day. Sometimes, I would only put it on once a day, but others days, I put a couple of them on. If we are stuck inside, or he is sick, they are on more often.

The ones my DS moved on to later that he loved (and will still watch) were Baby Davinci (parts of the body), Baby Newton (shapes), Baby McDonald (farm animals - he LOVES this one) and Baby Dolittle (Neighborhood Animals).

Re: Do you let your infants watch videos(einsteins etc))

Sometimes when I really need to get something done i'll put on a baby einstein dvd but I really try to limit the tv.

Re: Do you let your infants watch videos(einsteins etc))

Re: Do you let your infants watch videos(einsteins etc))

Re: Do you let your infants watch videos(einsteins etc))

Alexa has been watching it from day 1. She has a big brother that watches so she joins in No way around it. I love TV and think it is a great tool for children to learn from.

Re: Do you let your infants watch videos(einsteins etc))

Ryan loved baby einstein when he was an infant. If he was freaking out over something, the video always calmed him down.

Re: Do you let your infants watch videos(einsteins etc))

I just recently started letting DD watch TV. I put on Blues Clues for 5 minutes in the AM so I can put her hair in pigtails. She just turned 1.

Re: Do you let your infants watch videos(einsteins etc))

Wow, I guess I am not the norm. DD watched baby einstein from about 5 months onward. Now at 16 months, if it weren't for the Sprout channel, life would be much more difficult!!!

Re: Do you let your infants watch videos(einsteins etc))

i have tried to show DS those videos but he hates them.

the only shows he likes are jack's big music show and sportscenter - especially when there is football on

but when i need some downtime i definitely let him watch a bit of TV. it holds his attention for maybe 20 minutes though so i am not worried about him turning into a couch potato yet

Re: Do you let your infants watch videos(einsteins etc))

From about 3 mths on, I would try Baby Einstein but DD didn't seem to care much.

Now at 5 mths, the only program I put on is a cute show called Wilbur. I DVR it. DD loves it, since it has puppets (loves puppets). It's also educational.

I might put that on for her a few times a week, and play out the half hr program.

She isn't interested much longer than that anyway.

Re: Do you let your infants watch videos(einsteins etc))

I am not against TV when they are infants, especially when you need to get something done, and a few minutes of a colorful screen may be just what you need. With my DS, he just had no interest, so I didn't bother. Around 1 is when he actually found a show or two he liked. But literally its only sesame street and hIgh 5. He'd rather color and read books.
Some kids LOVE TV though, so if it gives you a repreive, why not?

Re: Do you let your infants watch videos(einsteins etc))

Posted by 5ofClubs

Alexa has been watching it from day 1. She has a big brother that watches so she joins in No way around it. I love TV and think it is a great tool for children to learn from.

Re: Do you let your infants watch videos(einsteins etc))

Rylan doesn't watch videos...mainly because I don't ever to think to put them on. He does watch alot of Noggin though...I have the tv on 80% of the day. He doesn't actually sit and watch the shows...he plays with his toys and me during the shows and then when the beginning and ending music comes and he RUNS to the tv. He is obsessed with it...will drop anything and everything to watch those parts...lol. I don't have a problem with little ones watching tv...unless it was something they needed or was upset about if it wasn't on.

Re: Do you let your infants watch videos(einsteins etc))

Posted by Mikismom

Posted by 5ofClubs

Alexa has been watching it from day 1. She has a big brother that watches so she joins in No way around it. I love TV and think it is a great tool for children to learn from.

I agree completely

I usually have the TV on in the background

dd will watch her Yo Gabba Gabba every night when we get home while I cook dinner. Aside from that, the TV is usually on but she plays with her toys and hardly even notices

She has learned about sharing, cleaning up, colors, numbers, being nice to friends, etc all from Yo Gabba Gabba

Re: Do you let your infants watch videos(einsteins etc))

Posted by DRMom

Posted by SeptemberBride03

DD is 11 months old and I don't let her watch TV. IMO she doesn't need it at this point. I want her to be creative with her toys and learn to have imagination rather than learning to put the tv on when she is bored.

That being said, if I were a SAHM and needed some time throughout the day to get things done I may feel differently.

So when she was an infant you never had the TV on at all? Just curious not being snarky

Re: Do you let your infants watch videos(einsteins etc))

personally, i think like everything else...in moderation. we don't have a set amount of time or anything that she watches TV but overall I feel it is very limited. During the daytime, the TV is on for maybe 30 minutes. But sometimes when she is very fussy some Yo Gabba Gabba helps (or lessens the tears while I try to trim her nails)! She is exposed to some news/sportscenter in the mornings too. But, it is all balanced with a lot of play time with us, talking to, going places, and exposure to other children. The balance is the most important part, IMO.

Re: Do you let your infants watch videos(einsteins etc))

DS is 4 months and I usually turn on Baby Einstein (got the whole collection) for him after his wakes up.
I've also tried Baby Genius, Baby Babble and Brainy Baby...

I'll put him on his bouncy or swing in front of the TV. He's good for 30 mins to an 1 hour so I can spend time cleaning up and getting us ready to head out the door.

I see nothing wrong with letting him watch at this age since it's visual and auditory stimulation. Better than letting him stare at stationary objects in the living room.

Re: Do you let your infants watch videos(einsteins etc))

Message edited 5/1/2009 12:59:17 PM.

Re: Do you let your infants watch videos(einsteins etc))

We have the tv on in the house more for me than for DS (stuff like the news or the occasional sitcom). DS ignores the tv and has no interest. Every once in a while he'll watch a children's DVD, but he loses interest after a few minutes and would rather play with his toys.

Re: Do you let your infants watch videos(einsteins etc))

I really am against the TV but it really HELPS alot when I need to get stuff done

Sesame street was all DS watched until a few months ago....now its Noggin (Blues, Wonder Pets)