Quick Television Followup
I just saw this “Mommy Guilt” article linked in a BabyCenter newsletter and one of the points about TV caught my attention. Here’s what that point had to say:
But if you break this rule, you’re not alone: A poll of BabyCenter moms reveals that only 10 percent of moms with toddlers forbid TV completely. Sixty-seven percent think it’s okay to let babies watch some TV, and 69 percent let their child watch the TV shows and DVDs they’re watching. But the shame is still in play: 26 percent of moms lie about how much TV their children watch!
So even if it’s kind of a crap BabyCenter poll, it’s a bit of a more widespread look at how actual people interpret the AAP’s recommendation. I found it interesting – right now we’re in that 10% that “doesn’t allow” TV.
Edited to Add:
Babies who watch TV are more likely to have delayed cognitive development and language at 14 months, especially if they’re watching programs intended for adults and older children. […] Babies who watched 60 minutes of TV daily had developmental scores one-third lower at 14 months than babies who weren’t watching that much TV. Though their developmental scores were still in the normal range, the discrepancy may be due to the fact that when kids and parents are watching TV, they’re missing out on talking, playing, and interactions that are essential to learning and development.
– TV Watching Is Bad for Babies’ Brains
Eeesh.
(Side note: I’ll admit to being sort of horrified that the stat for AAP-TV-rule compliance is only 10%, but we co-sleep AND put Wesley to sleep on his tummy, which is like NUMERO UNO big bad horrible thing that will kill all babies everywhere. Obviously, I am not immune to picking and choosing what works for us, AAP be damned. We all do what works best for our families!)
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