Falak Hanif, Executive-Nutritionist, Cloudnine Group of Hospitals, Bangalore (Old Airport Road)
In today’s tech-savvy world, it is impossible for many of us to think of any entertainment that does not involve a screen. The new parents enter parenthood with a strong determination of not introducing their kids to phones and screens until they realize that playing baby’s favourite cartoon makes the baby eat and gives you a breather, it soon becomes a daily routine for each meal, which also means the baby is exposed to a screen for at least 3-4 hours in a day.
Impact on the baby:
Screen time is the number of hours spent watching tablets, mobiles, LED screens, televisions:
- Excessive exposure to screens can cause headaches, eye strain, dry and irritated eyes.
- The light emitted can affect the biological sleeping routine which can lead to obesity, poor attention, pain, irritability.
- Excess exposure to this light affects the peripheral retina which is used during the night. When this is exposed to high energy blue light, it leads to disproportionate enlargement leading to Myopia.
We now realize that the shortcuts we take to get work done for the baby can in turn have lifelong effects. On asking some of the parents who have been trying to reduce screen time and indulge their baby’s in activities that are productive have mentioned the following pointers that have worked for them:
- There’s a famous saying “Be what you want your child to be”. Hence, avoid using your gadgets too often around your babies unless it’s important.
- The majority of the parents mentioned that spending time with the baby helped in reducing the baby’s screen time.
- Maintaining a limited time during which the gadget can be used and then kept at a place not reachable so that they do not reach out for it
- Show them a few pictures of damaged eyes and in very easy terms explain to them how excessive watching can affect their eyesight.
- Involve them in activities that help in cognitive development. Get a nice illustrated storybook which you can read to them. Get a game that involves learning new colours, number games etc
- Teach them mindful eating where they eat and focus on chewing properly.
- Always encourage them in outdoor and educational activities that they are interested in so that they don’t waste time indoors in front of the screen
- It is a bad idea to let kids watch something while eating as they do not realize how much they are eating and this can later lead to obesity.
- Less chewing of food can also lead to low metabolism.
- Watching something while eating will also take away the quality time you would spend with your family at the table.
According to WHO(World Health Organization) Infants (less than 1 year) should:
- Be physically active several times a day in a variety of ways, particularly through interactive floor-based play; more is better. For those not yet mobile, this includes at least 30 minutes in prone position (tummy time) spread throughout the day while awake.
- Not be restrained for more than 1 hour at a time (e.g. prams/strollers, high chairs, or strapped on a caregiver’s back). Screen time is not recommended. When sedentary, engaging in reading and storytelling with a caregiver is encouraged.
- Have 14–17h (0–3 months of age) or 12–16h (4–11 months of age) of good quality sleep, including naps.
Children 1-2 years of age should:
- Spend at least 180 minutes in a variety of types of physical activities at any intensity, including moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical activity, spread throughout the day; more is better.
- Not be restrained for more than 1 hour at a time (e.g., prams/strollers, high chairs, or strapped on a caregiver’s back) or sit for extended periods of time. For 1-year-olds, sedentary screen time (such as watching TV or videos, playing computer games) is not recommended. For those aged 2 years, sedentary screen time should be no more than 1 hour; less is better. When sedentary, engaging in reading and storytelling with a caregiver is encouraged.
- Have 11-14 hours of good quality sleep, including naps, with regular sleep and wake-up times.
