What age?

My oldest is a pandemic baby and I had untreated ppd, so he had screentime very early(youtube kids shows, video games, and regular tv dramas). He is fine, though he also turned out to be a gestalt language processor and kids like him benefit from constant language immersion.

My daughter started around 8 months 🤷‍♀️ I’m big on do what works for your family :)

My 2nd was born in 2020, plenty of screen time was had.

We didn't really think about it - when he was young we played music for him from one of our phones and sometimes that came with soothing images. When he was a bit older we would also watch things like BBC baby club which was a televised baby sensory type group. Then he got into the Clangers and it went from there. We don't do much YouTube. The shows he has mostly got into have been pretty educational - numberblocks, Alphablocks, colourblocks. When he turned three he had a wider range of things he wanted to watch so we instituted a rule where he has to read to us before he watches something. But you are talking about a learning thing that happens to be on a screen rather than physically in front of you. My personal feeling would be that once he/she gets to the age (s)he is interested then let them be - before then you watch and repeat the signs for them so they are watching you do the signs rather than the screen which they might find it harder to connect with.

Your husband is correct. Drs recommend 2 because of development of their brains. Studies have shown early screen time relates to reduced concentration, increased tantrums. There is also a study I read about tv vs handheld (tablet, phone). If I can find the link then I'll send it over. Facetime/video calls are not considered screen time. That is considered socialization.

Agree with @Ellie there are some serious negative impacts to screen time early on. Most importantly is atrophy of the grey matter in the brain, which is responsible for reasoning, planning “getting things done”. Probably a contributor to why so many kids are diagnosed with ADD. Obviously in moderation it’s probably ok, so make your own informed decision. https://www.psychologytoday.com/ie/blog/mental-wealth/201402/gray-matters-too-much-screen-time-damages-the-brain

More info: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10353947/

My son didn't watch anything until he was a year old, then they started giving a gadget for 30 minutes 2-3 times a week good cartoons

I mean, it depends on you and your family. I’m a solo mum so she had ten minutes of the dancing fruit on YouTube here and there so I could do basic tasks/shower from a young age. Probs didn’t properly start watching things still two-ish. And it’s mostly when I need to shower etc. She doesn’t have any screen time at nursery. She’s fine. Speech is great. She had lots of play and outside time. There’s a difference between a bit of screen time and hours of it a day.

We have waited so far (LO is 21 months) but I'd be open to Ms. Rachel once baby is 2. A lot of SLPs say Ms. Rachel's format of one on one interaction is similar to a video call so it's similar in benefits! It's even better if you're watching and participating too! Also, the bigger the screen, the better. Research show screen time via a tv is better than a personal screen like a tablet or phone.

We did no screen time until age 2 and still keep it very very limited now, as per health organisations recommendations.

I don’t do cartoons at all. I absolutely hate Ms. Rachel. But… at about 2-2.5 I started letting her watch ballet and nature documentaries. She loves it.

We’re trying to hold out until 5. They’re 4 now.

@Ellie I saw this too !

I've had the TV on for background or late night feeds, but my son didn't pay any attention to the actual TV til he was 4 or 5, and that was only for a minute tops he didn't watch movies all the way through til he was like 12 years old too he was always on the go and wouldn't sit and watch TV by himself or with us just wanting to go go go all the time TV was just colours and noise to him. My son is 15 years old now and will watch some TV shows if he is interested and will watch movies now just depends if he wants (yes he is diagnosed with autism, adhd and is blind in one eye so a lot of that contributes to what I said above).

I’m An OT & my baby watched Miss Rachel I’ve no issues with it in moderation

We have miss Rachel and Mr tumble on when I need her to stay in one place while I need to do stuff without her. It keeps her stationary for about 5 to 10 minutes. Gives my arm a chance to recover

I think around 1.5. My daughter is not yet two but she loves Elmo and Sesame Street. We travel a lot and got a tablet for long car rides but she doesn't get to have it all the time. Sometimes if I need to get something done or cook dinner she can watch