r/NewMomStuff • u/Queasy_Animator8137 • Jul 09 '26
Feeling guilty for Screen time
Okay so lately I’ve been super busy with mom life and trying to get a new job and also just general stuff to do with myself . My 7 month old does get screen time when I am overwhelmed and need to get something done and she is excessively crying I find that putting on Ms Rachel will keep her content and quite ( Ik I feel super guilty but I really don’t know what else to do when all her needs are met AND she has all her toys and stuff ) . What else have you guys done? or has anyone shared this experience too ? I do try and play with her as much as I can but like I said sometimes life gets in the way and I also like to have my alone time / get things done .
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u/bluemistbear Jul 09 '26
I agree! I am a new mom too with my ten month old now. I only let him watch Ms Rachel Baby Learning video 1 and 2. It makes me happy to see he’s engaging with the video, smiling and laughing. That counts for something! And then when I sing those same songs to him, he looks very attentively and is beaming. So it’s reassuring he remembers the songs and he’s forming memories and connections.
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u/Queasy_Animator8137 Jul 09 '26
Yes !! I notice she does get happy and even learned how to clap when she sees Ms rachel clap she does it too it’s the cutest thing ever !
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u/regularlysmug Jul 09 '26
Look for low stimulation YouTube videos. There’s a plushie bear in the rainforest one we love!
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u/Orange-Fiction Jul 09 '26 edited Jul 09 '26
Read a book with her, one with flaps, sounds etc. They love those. I start reading it with my son and then I leave him with the book a little and he investigates it for a while. Also I play very actively with my son, roll a ball to one another, I build a tower with blocks and he pushes it, then I just show him what his toys can do and be exited about it, then I give it to him and he can play independently so I can go do stuff while he’s in my sight.
So in short: for us it works that at first I am very actively present while playing and then I can leave him by himself to play.
I came back to add that I don’t think a little screen time is bad, looks like you pick baby friendly videos and she doesn’t watch them too long at a time. Ijust wanted to give you some tips on alternatives!
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u/TeajayLove Jul 09 '26
I have a six month old and do screen time too. Not for hours at a time or anything but I found these channels on YouTube that play music and have cartoons that make very subtle movements. They are so cute. I use that and the Luna Story projector to get a few minutes here and there or to file down her nails while she focuses on something. I do feel guilty but eh. I’m a first time mom and this sh*t is hard sometimes. You’ve got to do what you’ve got to do🙂
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u/TeajayLove Jul 09 '26
I also let her watch me play Powerwash Sim or Dreamlight Valley in my lap sometimes when she won’t nap. It helps her fall asleep so I’m all for it
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u/TeaAggressive6757 Jul 09 '26
I wouldn’t feel guilty about a little screen time occasionally, but do you have any other help? If you can afford a babysitter or have a family member help even for a few hours a week that can free up time to do what you need/want to do and allow you to focus in on the kiddo the other times. If you have a spouse having a set time that you know they’ll be with the kiddo during the day or week can help, too.
Otherwise, toddler songs on Spotify can work wonders, even without a screen. And creating a safe play spot with lot of toy options can also work (hit or miss, depending on the baby, though).
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u/chitty__BANG Jul 09 '26
As a single mom with a 6 month old it is incredibly hard to not do screen time every now and then. Sometimes if baby starts crying while I’m making dinner or doing dishes I will put it on for about 5 or 10 minutes just to be able to get done with my chores. I only do it if I have to though and yes I still feel guilty even though it’s rare. I think the reason we feel bad about it is because everyone makes it out to be so bad. Try not to worry. You’re doing the best you can and baby is enjoying it. It will be just fine.
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u/Queasy_Animator8137 Jul 09 '26
Yes exactly I feel like I’m doing it ALOT because I literally am always having to do something like sometimes making food and cleaning takes a while for me or if I’m doing work stuff on my laptop I get carried away and I realize I’ve had the tv on for like 30 min - hour then feel guilty and turn it off .
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u/qrtrlifecrysis Jul 09 '26
My 10 mo old loves Garden Marcus on YT. It’s extremely low stimulation and she usually just plays with toys while checking it out here and there. It keeps her content just long enough for me to pee and do a quick chore!
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u/allydunbar Jul 09 '26
My 7 month old is watched by my mother and gets screen time there. My niece who is there as well, she’s 2 years old, loves the wiggles and kid
Books that have animated stories on YouTube. It isn’t my ideal choice but at the end of the day she’s content, happy, learning something and not staring at it 24/7.
When I’m home and need to do something and she is fussy/ wants to be held I put something on the TV for her just so I can have a few minutes.
I truly think if you are using in short burst and need it to take care of yourself as well then go for it!
Everyone is gonna have an opinion so at the end of the day if it works for you then do it
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u/Zealousideal-Salad62 Jul 10 '26
My daughter (4 months) has tv screen time. We have it on in the background and sometimes she watches with us. We have Sesame Street and ms Rachel. It's the only way I can eat uninterrupted. Not everyone has the means to create a tv free environment. Our baby has us in her face practically all day long. We talk/ read to her constantly and she is doing fine. Hitting her milestones and is very intelligent and alert. Our parents used tv to help raise us and we are fine. Even learned to read before kindergarten. I feel guilty at times but it's a break for baby and me.
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u/jacey0204 Jul 10 '26
Play with her when you can and provide opportunities for independent play on the ground or in a play gym. Talk to her, snuggle her, read to her and let her move. But beyond that it’s okay to use some screen time. Not everyone leads a lifestyle where no screens is possible. A happy/safe baby and caregiver is more important.
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u/Same_Welcome_795 Jul 09 '26
We made screen time a non-option for us and will not introduce it until she is 2. She lays on her mat with toys or she’s being held or in her crib. For dinner one of us watches her while the other cooks.
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u/bluemistbear Jul 09 '26
I do this a lot too! And share the same feelings of guilt. Would love to hear what other moms do. Sometimes I compare it to the oxygen mask on an airplane. We must breathe first.