Is screen time bad for my baby?
Did you know? Even at a very young age, screen time can have an impact on activity levels and sleep.
In the shape of smartphones, tablets, TVs, game consoles, and computers, screens are everywhere in our lives, and touchscreen technology makes it easy for even young babies to engage.
You may not think that access to screens at such a young age is much to worry about. However, research suggests that too much TV or screen time can lead to less time spent being active, and ultimately to unhealthy weight gain in childhood. For this reason, medical associations, including the Canadian Paediatric Society, advise against media use by children younger than two years of age. It may be best to act now to limit screen time and encourage healthy and active habits that can last into childhood and beyond.
Spend quality time being active
Screens can interfere with the amount of time babies spend interacting with their parents and moving around. If you are often looking at a screen, it’s likely your baby will be as well. Screen time can end up taking the place of time spent doing activities together.
In one recent study, childcare providers believed that infants required less than one hour of activity each day, when, in fact, the guidelines were for at least 90 minutes of daily activity. Having a daily routine that includes interactive playtime encourages your baby’s physical development, building up muscles, and improving coordination—skills needed for crawling and, in time, standing and walking. Building activity into every day is not only fun, but also helps create healthy habits for the future.
Sleep-deprived parents may also be interested to learn that screen-watching can affect both your baby’s nighttime sleep and daytime naps by causing them to take longer to fall asleep and spending less time asleep. So switch off screens for better sleep—for you both.
Sources
CPS Digital Health Task Force. Screen time and young children: Promoting health and development in a digital world Paediatr Child Health 2017;22(8):461–468 Anderson SE, Whitaker RC. Household routines and obesity in US preschool-aged children. Pediatrics 2010; 125(3):420-8.
Carson V, Stearns J, Janssen I. The relationship between parental physical activity and screen time behaviors and the behaviors of their young children. Pediatr Exerc Sci 2015; 27(3): 390-5.
Dennison BA, Erb TA, Jenkins PL. Television viewing and television in bedroom associated with overweight risk among low-income preschool children. Pediatrics 2002; 109(6):1028-35.
Duch H, Fisher EM, Ensari I et al. Screen time use in children under 3 years old: a systematic review of correlates. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act 2013; 10:102. doi: 10.1186/1479-5868-10-102.
Hesketh KR, van Sluijs EM, Blaine RE et al. Assessing care providers’ perceptions and beliefs about physical activity in infants and toddlers: baseline findings from the Baby NAP SACC study. BMC Public Health 2015; 15:100 doi: 10.1186/s12889-015-1477-z
Thompson DA, Christakis DA. The association between television viewing and irregular sleep schedules among children less than 3 years of age. Pediatrics 2005; 116(4):851-6.
Related articles
Playtime is fun—and healthy
There are plenty of fun activities you and your baby can do together to ensure that undesirable screen-watching habits never start.
3 mins to read
Signs your baby is full | Old’s hunger and fullness cues
Is your hungry baby eating enough? Here are some hunger and fullness cues to watch out for during your toddler's development.
3 mins to read
Baby Teething: Signs and Relief
Teething begins at different times for different babies, although most have already started by six months of age.
2 mins to read
Your 6-8-month-old’s activity planner
Playing with your baby is not only fun, it also helps them develop skills to build on for an active childhood.
4 mins to read
Tummy time workout
Tummy time can start soon after you bring your baby home from the hospital. Just don’t expect too much.
3 mins to read
Your baby is growing by leaps and bounds
Your baby is growing fast! The first year, a baby multiplies his weight by 3 and his length increases by 50%! Follow month-by-month.
1 min to read
Snack ideas for kids | Ready for baby finger foods?
The food you give your kids will help them grow in so many ways beyond the physical. It will expose them to new smells and textures.
2 mins to read
Healthy baby development | Make every bite count
Starting your little one on solid foods is quite a milestone!
3 mins to read
Benefits of probiotics for babies
This article includes contributions from Dr. Dina Kulik, pediatrician, and Charlotte Geroudet, GD.
5 mins to read
When to start solid food for babies
Starting solid foods is a new and exciting step in your baby’s eating development, but it often comes with many questions.
7 mins to read
Baby development month 7
She’s everywhere! She’s everywhere! At least she wants to be, and she wants to get there on her own.
4 mins to read
Did you know?
During babies’ first year of life their nutritional needs are higher than those of adults
1 min to read
3 tips for your baby’s happy, healthy tummy
By Dr. Ted Jablonski, family physician
3 mins to read
Changing food and nutrition for your 8-to-12- month old
Take this quiz and test your nutrition knowledge!
1 min to read
How to strengthen your baby's immune system
By Dr. Ted Jablonski, family physician
3 mins to read
Physical Activities for Infants – What you need to know
Did you know? Spending time playing with your baby at this age can lead to them being more active when they are a toddler.
3 mins to read
Newborn Sleep Development - What you need to know
You’re half-awake at 4 am with a wide-awake baby in your arms and wondering if you’ll ever get a full night’s sleep again. Don’t worry, you will.
6 mins to read
Baby's most nutritious food choices
A quiz for moms of 6 to 7-month-olds
1 min to read
Baby Feeding and Nutrition: The Guide
How will you feed your newborn?
7 mins to read
