I think my 1yo watches too much TV....

OK, so I know 1 is too young to be watching any TV. But here in the US we have a 24-hour children's network called Sprout that shows preschool-age programs. And she loves it, and it's sooo easy to flip it on while I have to do something (cleaning, working online). She doesn't watch a constant stream and we still get out at least once a day, and of course read books and play together, but she still watches it quite a bit.

The thing is lately I've noticed that she's very hyper. Like compared to the other babies I observe, she's so energetic and active. But she's my first baby and I don't know if this is normal behavior...and I have read studies that show no link between TV and hyperactivity. But I can't help to think that the TV is affecting her in a bad way. But the TV is such a big help to keep her occupied when I need to do something.

That's a lot of "buts"!!! I hope some of you can weigh in and let me know your experience with TV and your kids. I know things will change once I get to England and I have a bit more help from my husband.

My 2-year old daughter watches loads of Sprout shows here in the US and used to watch CeeBeebees in the UK, which targets the toddler age. Like you, I use it when I need to make lunch/dinner/clean etc.  She is not hyperactive in the least bit.  She's very mellow and relaxed.  So I don't think TV is to blame...and I doubt your daughter is really hyperactive at so young an age.  Kids just have a ton of energy!

TV watching is one of those things that is a personal decision.  If it's something a parent feels strongly against, good for them if they can keep it out of their house, everyone is different and has different parenting styles.  You know what is best for your child and you'll know when they are really watching too much. 

My personal gauge is that she doesn't want to watch TV outside of my house.  It's as if she doesn't realise that grandma has a tv or her friends have tvs.  If she ever starts whining about watching at someone else's house during a playdate, that's when I will start to worry!

You've said she's one.  I'm assuming she's at the stage where she's either found her feet, or just finding them and wanders around the house (seemingly) for ages and possibly just started climbing!  Won't sit still any longer, but wants to explore EVERYTHING -especially the things you don't want her to.  She sounds normal to me.   It's just a developmental thing.  Kids want to see and experience everything.

My two don't watch much TV anymore, cause they're too busy running around most of the time.  I don't see the point in leaving the TV on, if they're not watching it anyway.  My daughter watched TV from baby-hood with BabyTV here in the UK (sounds similar to Sprout - 24hr programs, no commercials - pure heaven).  If they start getting a bit fractious I chuck 'em outside and let them play in the garden.  They love it rain or shine and it burns off they're energy.

If you really think your child is very hyper out of the norm, have you considered other aspects of day to day life?  Possibly, something she's eating could be causing it, or could she be over tired?  My son goes a bit doolally when he's over tired and runs around in circles (quite literally), as well as bumping into things and being gernally extra naughty.  Also, with my daughter we noticed Fruit Shoots drinks used to make our daughter extra hyper and extra naughty when she'd drink them...  It may be worth just paying a bit of extra attention to any changes of routines or when the changes happen to see if you can pinpoint it.  Otherwise, it's probably just the normal extra energeticness of childhood.

Try not to worry on it too much.  I know, easier said than done.  Good luck!

Sounds to me as you just have an active energetic toddler.  Don't beat yourself up for putting sprout on so you can get stuff done.  At least the stuff on sprout isn't just adverts for toys (from what I recall).  At the moment my 4 1/2 month old is too young to join us at the table at meals so often he sits in his bouncy chair contentedly watching cbeebies or a veggietales DVD while we eat.

I agree with the others in regards to that she's probably not over-hyper.  One is a big age to start moving around, getting into everything you're not supposed to be in, pushing boundaries, jumping up and down in the middle of the floor while clapping and shouting for absolutely no reason whatsoever.  That's all very normal.  That's even the age where a lot of babies stop napping as much...because there's too much to do!  I definitely wouldn't say there is a link between that and the TV...some kids are just very active and some are just lazy...but most are very active!

How much TV are you talking about?  My son is a year old and he won't look at the TV screen for more than 45 seconds...not interested in the slightest!  My daughter at the same age would watch an entire Disney film without blinking.

Like pp said, I think TV for kids is a personal choice.  I don't think it's healthy from a developmental standpoint to have them sitting there for several hours a day but I really don't see where a few minutes here or there is going to cause them any harm.  Especially when you are going out of your way to make sure they are getting stimulation from other activities everyday also.

I'm a TV Mom and I don't worry about it too much. My kids actually self-regulate. If it's on and they like the show, they watch. If not, they play.

They don't beg for it elsewhere and don't care if they miss it when we're out. I know as they get older I'll need to be more careful (as the cartoons become less educational and more entertainment based). But for now, I'm not too stressed about it.

Thanks for the assurances...it's good to know there are others like me who sometimes rely on the TV. My daughter is fickle too, off and on...sometimes she'll act very disinterested, sometimes engrossed for 30 min at a time. I just fear that it will make other experiences duller...for example, when we go to story time at the library, she hardly pays attention to the story teller, even when he is playing his banjo and singing. I fear this is because it's not as stimulating as the TV (though I realize one is a young age for story time).

I have a one year old, she is hyper with the TV on or without it, in the house or out of the house. She is also mad, bad and dangerous to know. She climbs on everything and puts her life in jeopardy every single day. My son watched just as much TV and he was a mellow little guy, and at 5, still is quite mellow. It just depends on the kid imo!

Thanks for the assurances...it's good to know there are others like me who sometimes rely on the TV. My daughter is fickle too, off and on...sometimes she'll act very disinterested, sometimes engrossed for 30 min at a time. I just fear that it will make other experiences duller...for example, when we go to story time at the library, she hardly pays attention to the story teller, even when he is playing his banjo and singing. I fear this is because it's not as stimulating as the TV (though I realize one is a young age for story time).

I'd not read too much into that yet. My son was the same way and still is but now he's 5. He's much more visual and has a hard time processing words being read to him (even when there are pictures or other things going on).

For him it ultimately WAS an issue but it's not an issue of too much TV. At the age of 1, it's not something I'd worry about.