TV on to go to sleep? - Page 2

[BunnySlippers]

When I wanted to wean dd from nursing to fall asleep at almost 3yrs old I moved the TV to the end of our bed and put on a video where I would promptly fall asleep or pretend to. DD would fall asleep watching the movie. We did this for a few months, then I moved the TV back to its home and got into the routine of a book instead.
I know it is not quite the same because we were still co-sleeping.
I think it could work for you. If it doesn't then you just try something else.

[ewe+lamb]

Originally Posted by zinemama

How about letting them listen to music instead?

That's what we did/do with dd music and stories on CD, we don't do very much kids music but she loves falling asleep to Chopin, Schubert or Schumann and stories just set the mood too, you want to have calming down things rather than something that may set them 'alight' as such, but then we only have one tv in the family room so I never really thought that we would have one in a bedroom. Yoga adapted for kids helps with my dd too, we do that as well. I agree with pps that you may need to find out what it is that is stopping them from going into their own room, you may have to go and find it, ie take the child and show them that there are no monsters under the bed (my biggest fear as a child), that the moon and stars are up in the sky behind the curtains, that the wardrobe has only clothes etc - it needs to be a little journey for them.

[joy2bmom]

Originally Posted by Transitions

:My son is 14 years old and has fallen asleep to the TV since he was 4.:

It never ended, the phase. He doesnt watch it, he likes the noise. We tried music, fans, white noise machines, etc. Only the TV would and still will do.?? He has always slept very well and it never bothers him.

agreed,,,We all watch tv to go to sleep: Our TV is on 24/7, its never been a problem for us

[amcal]

Originally Posted by limabean

Really? I'm totally with you on the "after bedtime I want to go back downstairs and hang with DH" thing -- I'm the same way. But on the occasions when DS does have trouble falling asleep, I see a huge difference between me going and lying down with him to provide physical comfort and nurturing, and turning on the TV for him.

Maybe it just comes down to a personal philosophy about TV -- we do watch a fair amount in our house, but I've never believed in having televisions in bedrooms. We have one television, in the living room, so TV just isn't available (for any of us) as an option for a falling-asleep crutch. Sure, it makes it a little more difficult on the nights when DS needs some extra attention at bedtime, but I'm not willing to shift my values enough to put a TV in his bedroom just because of that. Lots of families do allow TVs in bedrooms and probably wouldn't have a problem with what you're suggesting -- it's just a difference of opinion, I guess.

Ok, now wait. I am absolutely not talking about laying down with them for comfort. If my children are upset and need me, I'm all about providing comfort. I do all day long and wouldn't stop doing it just because it's night time. I'm talking about not wanting to create a situation where they need me to lay down with them every night to go to sleep.

We don't rely on TV here either, that's why it's such a special treat for them to get to watch a video. I was thinking of saving the video and letting them watch one video, in their own bed, to help them fall asleep. I think that's totally different from relying on tv and withholding comfort and nurturing.

[limabean]

Originally Posted by amcal

I think that's totally different from relying on tv and withholding comfort and nurturing.

You're right, it is -- I'm sorry that I jumped to the wrong conclusion.

[simcon]

Originally Posted by amcal

Ok, now wait. I am absolutely not talking about laying down with them for comfort. If my children are upset and need me, I'm all about providing comfort. I do all day long and wouldn't stop doing it just because it's night time. I'm talking about not wanting to create a situation where they need me to lay down with them every night to go to sleep.

You might consider laying down with them as a transition strategy; I think it's easier to "wean" them from that practice than from tv (and it's more connecting with you while they are working through the transition). After being in their own beds becomes normal to them, you can lay there for less and less time, and then sit on the edge of the bed, pop your head in after 5, then 10 minutes... all the usual ways to make that transition. (though I know you said it's a little squishy with the 3 of you in a double bed... but if they were ok with it, it might be the most effective way to go)

[Needle in the Hay]

I lie down with my DS every night (except when we're out and he falls asleep in the car on the way home). We read books then he falls asleep feeling secure and comforted. I don't think everyone needs to do that and I don't look down on anyone whose children fall asleep with the TV on (I really don't, I'm not just saying that to appear tolerant ) but to say there is no difference does boggle my mind just a bit.

I can see why you are considering a video at bedtime but I'd do some reading first and maybe put the video on as you leave the room after the bedtime stories. I'm sure you read at other times in the day but it's very calming at bedtime.

Best of luck however you decide to do it.

[waiflywaif]

I'm not judging, but personally I really hate the idea of falling asleep to the TV. It goes against the way our family uses TV, which is that we watch something, turn it off when it's over, and go do something else. (I even have Tivo specifically for this purpose, so that we're not tied to the TV schedule). Having it on "just because"---whether it's for background noise or for falling asleep---just pushes all my buttons for some reason. I consider it intrusive noise.

There have been lots of studies that conclude that TV in children's bedrooms is not a good idea.

[newmommy]

I thought I read somewhere that TV has the opposite effect, like making them more hyper.

But No, I tried it and it back fired on me.

Do you do Story time (coupled with cuddling) at bedtime?

I've always found that to be helpful with DS.

[octobermom]

If we are someplace away from home I just say no TV we can read and mommy will lay down with you no biggie, about 80% of the time she falls asleep while I read to her. We also don't keep a TV in her room its more we use a show to just wind down the day than to fall asleep to. She raerly falls asleep to TV.