Soooo...we are not tv-free. But we do try to limit TV time to an hour or less a day now that dd is older, and we always watch with dd instead of just plopping her in front of the tube. However, this cold has forced me to turn the tv on more often just to get some rest (with the sore throat I can't even read to dd for more than a few minutes!) and I remember when dd was born I practically lived with the tv on...but I watched regular adult programming and honestly dd never seemed interested. But kiddie shows are different and aimed at catching and holding kiddo's attention.
What TV shows do other mamas enjoy for their kiddos? And why? And are any of them shows that might not distract a newborn?
I've found a few I enjoy in terms of my being able to watch them without feeling my brain turn to mush and in terms of agreeing with the underlying message/philosophy:
--Sesame Street (nostalgia value if nothing else, and dd loves it...she sings and dances and plays along with the characters so it's not totally passive.. But I think it's too busy for a newborn to be in the room)
--It's a Big Big World (it's on PBS kids so no "commericals" as such, the characters are puppets and very "gentle"...the songs and actions are all very soft and there's not a lot of action. Plus the message seems very GD, AP, and, well, it just seems "kind")
--Pingu (it's on Sprout, it's a claymation show that lasts about 10 minutes. Some of the episodes seem a little unfriendly but the characters don't actually "talk"...they use sort of nonsense musical sounds like the adults in charlie brown? so the viewer has to fill in the story themselves).
--Teletubbies (yes, I know. But I actually fell in love with this show when I was in college and although it's got some very odd bits, I still enjoy it. DD has only seen it 3-4 times in her life but she likes to dance along so again it's more interactive than some shows might be)
Any others that people like for their toddlers but which wont overwhelm a newborn who might be nursing in the same room? Or drive a hormonal nursing mama up the wall?
What TV shows do other mamas enjoy for their kiddos? And why? And are any of them shows that might not distract a newborn?
I've found a few I enjoy in terms of my being able to watch them without feeling my brain turn to mush and in terms of agreeing with the underlying message/philosophy:
--Sesame Street (nostalgia value if nothing else, and dd loves it...she sings and dances and plays along with the characters so it's not totally passive.. But I think it's too busy for a newborn to be in the room)
--It's a Big Big World (it's on PBS kids so no "commericals" as such, the characters are puppets and very "gentle"...the songs and actions are all very soft and there's not a lot of action. Plus the message seems very GD, AP, and, well, it just seems "kind")
--Pingu (it's on Sprout, it's a claymation show that lasts about 10 minutes. Some of the episodes seem a little unfriendly but the characters don't actually "talk"...they use sort of nonsense musical sounds like the adults in charlie brown? so the viewer has to fill in the story themselves).
--Teletubbies (yes, I know. But I actually fell in love with this show when I was in college and although it's got some very odd bits, I still enjoy it. DD has only seen it 3-4 times in her life but she likes to dance along so again it's more interactive than some shows might be)
Any others that people like for their toddlers but which wont overwhelm a newborn who might be nursing in the same room? Or drive a hormonal nursing mama up the wall?