Baby Einstein DVDs

My girls are 12 weeks old. About a week ago we received a Baby Einstein DVD as a gift. I was very hesitant to let them watch it, as they seem too young and I am not a huge fan of tv time. Well, that same day, one of the girls was fussing while I bathed the other, so DH decided to try the dvd. She loved it! They both will gaze at these silly videos in awe, smile at the screen, and kick their legs in excitement.

Now, ever since we discovered their interest in these darned videos, I've had a love/hate relationship with them. I love that I can put on the dvd and take a shower or bathe a baby without the other crying, but I am concerned it will hinder their development, hurt their eyes, cause autism, etc, etc. or that they'll come to prefer the videos to real human interaction/stimulation.

Am I hurting my babies by letting them watch these dvds?

 

I don't believe watching tv "causes" things... It might "cause" them to watch TV but that is it.

I think it's kind of one of those things that "people" say so that we don't plop our kids in front of the tube and go to the bar all nite or something like that..

Mine are 15 weeks and we got our high def 50'' LCD tv put up on Sunday and they have been unable to keep their eyes off of it. So.. I capitalized on it and turned on the Disney Channel. Jackpot!

I'm not going to deny myself a little personal freedom while they look at Mickey Mouse. Big Deal!!! If you're like me and have your kids attached to your hip 97% of the time- Don't worry about a little tv.

I think it's more a warning (like anything) for those who would take it to the EXTREME and have the television be the babysitter; ya know??

 

I think as long as they are not watching it 24/7 they are fine.. A video here and there for our sanity is just fine!!! My babies LOVE theys videos. My DH bought like 5 of them.. They really like the animal ones.. We only watch maybe one or 2 a day but that still 30 mins - 1 hour that i am not holding babies!! I can wash bottles or cook dinner/lunch..

 

QUOTE(AshleyLD @ Jan 15 2008, 12:04 PM) [snapback]573390[/snapback]
I think as long as they are not watching it 24/7 they are fine.. A video here and there for our sanity is just fine!!! My babies LOVE theys videos. My DH bought like 5 of them.. They really like the animal ones.. We only watch maybe one or 2 a day but that still 30 mins - 1 hour that i am not holding babies!! I can wash bottles or cook dinner/lunch..


Ditto, my babies will watch for 15-20 minutes maybe 2-3 times a week, usually enough time for me and DH to actually eat dinner or for me to make bottles so I have something to feed them. DD does get overstimulated after a while, DH has renamed Baby Einstein, "Baby Crack".

 

I don't think television causes autism as a PP said. I think you are fine.

 

My kids love baby einstein and that gives me freedom... I watched TV as a kid and i am a very functional adult who is well-rounded and has a great job, great friends and a wonderful family.
I let them watch TV everyday they love them so much and to me it is some good quiet down time for us all... The big kids and DH watch it with them. LOL... I think that you need to cut yourself some slack and let them enjoy it.

Beau loves sponge bob too and so do i so he watches that as well. I have many great baby DVD's that they watch but i let them be kids, it is hurting noone in my eyes...

 

I also have a love/hate relationship with them. I really limit them, they watch one video that is 30 minutes long once or twice a week. I know they would like it more but I sort of hate how zoned out they get when watching.

 

mine started watching Baby Einstein around 4 or 5 months - I'd put them in their exersaucer, turn on the Baby Monet one (the seasons) and take a shower or cook dinner or just surf for a half hour...it was a life saver!

 

I put mine in their bumbos with a Baby Einstein on once a day, usually in the morning while I clean up the kitchen. They look at it, look at each other, play with their toys...all at the same time. But mine are 7 months old now. It has only been in the last month or so that they really seemed to be paying any attention to the video. Prior to that they didn't show any interest.

I will admit to being paranoid about how much tv they watch. They are only allowed to watch Baby Einstein and tmaybe a little Seaseme Street every once in awhile. I just don't think that alot of fast paced action is good for their little brains, which is why only those two shows are allowed. Some studies say that it contribute to ADD later on, but who really knows? I have just decided for my own peace of mind to limit it for now.

 

Exact same thing happened in my house this week! When I was preg, DH was in Pakistan, which is apparantly boot-leg movie capital of the planet. He bought us every Baby Einstein DVD that has ever been made, I think we have 20 of them. Out of curiousity I played one a few days ago and both the babies eyes' were glued to the TV. Then I was thinking that they are way too young to be watching tv and felt bad for putting it on! But they only watch it for 5 minutes or so and then lose interest, and they've only done that two times now, so it's not like they are spending hours upon hours watching tv. I don't think they'd do that even if I wanted them to. So I only let them watch it every now and then and I don't think it's going to warp their minds to have 20 minutes of TV watching every week....

 

I didn't like them to watch it until they were old enough to move but I definitely wouldn't be worried about 20 minutes a couple of times a week. If it's one of the Baby Einsteins designed for younger babies it is pretty slow paced with no animation so it's like you are showing them toys over and over. If you sit them far enough back, it won't hurt their eyes.

Usually the concern with TV has to do with ADD or obesity, I've never heard of it causing autism.

 

I just started letting the girls watch TV 3 months ago when they were around 21 months old. They were two months premature and Early Intervention recommended that they stay away from TV. When they were awake, we only had the TV on for one hour on Sundays (football). Early Intervention staff were very impressed with their development and with their communication and they contributed it to our no TV rule when they were younger. I was told that if the TV is on (even just as background noise, not watching it) it keeps the kids from understanding how words are pronounced, TV also can keep parents from talking to their kids since conversation doesn't usually happen while watching TV. I was also told that babies aren't as mobile when a TV is on because they lay in front of it instead of rolling around to get toys so their muscles don't get developed. They will be two in a few weeks and they are testing at a 3 year old level on some of their language skills. I don't know if not having TV had anything to do with it or not but I am glad I kept them away from it. I can completely understand your need for some time to get things done!

 

I just bought one last week and I couldnt believe that my Maia actuallly laid there kicking her little legs for 28mins!! She has the attention span of a goldfish and she was content!!
I think its just the colors and the lights that they like.
I have no problem throwing the girls in front of the tv for an hour if its going to keep them happy so I can do dishes or put laundry away.

 

My philosophy is "everything in moderation". Sometimes if I'm alone to do the bedtime routine I type in "baby einstein" on youtube.com and point the computer at the pack and play, where one baby watches while the other takes a bath. They enjoy 10 minutes of stimulation and it creates peace at my house!

 

I agree with pp "everything in moderation." I have been known to put on playhouse disney or a sesame street dvd because I need a little break. You do the best you can...

 

Thanks for all the responses. It helps to know I'm not the only one. I suppose, for my sanity, I will probably continue to let them watch, but limit it to no more than 30 min. a day. There really is no proof yet that it is harmful in small amounts, but there's no proof that it is NOT harmful either. I guess wih twins I have to give myself a little leeway, and in the long run my sanity and well-being I get from that break (my ONLY break) is more important than any potential, small risks, right?.Of course now the problem is that DH wants to put the video in EVERY time they get fussy...but I've put my foot down on this!