I’ve caved already

Were at 16 months and still screen free. Its not easy but its a commitment weve made. I do a lot of baby wearing. I didn't find it hard at 4 months as she was entertained by shadows on the wall and had short wake windows. Its getting harder now but im just more creative with her time and I include her in everything I do.

If you have a velcro baby or needy like mine 30 minutes of screen time is our limit it allows for a shower or quick meal ect....I will say one thing that helped is me interacting with my son while cooking so I put him in his high chair near me and let him taste test....but do what's best for you tbh

It's practically impossible to do a work from home job whilst also looking after your child and be able to excel in both things. For a 4 month old I'd say you have a few other things that could hold her attention like a music box/light show/bubble machine but I'd think about your long term strategy if you're not planning to put her in childcare, because that sort of thing isn't going to work forever, particularly when she's mobile!! I know there's often not an option because of costs but maybe you need to accept you'll have to use screen time in order to be able to concentrate on your job sometimes. I don't think that's a terrible thing especially if there's a lot of other stuff they do and enjoy as well but it can be a slippery slope and 4 months is quite young for it. So don't beat yourself up! This doesn't make you terrible AT ALL. Just think about other things you can do going forward or accept that you're going to have to use screens.

We did 18 months screen free, and I would do the same again with future babies. No judgement to those who don't want to. We introduced occasional film nights at 18 months & around 2 years it became more regular like 3 - 5 evenings a week (a film or a couple episodes of something) but I never use it in the daytime unless we are genuinely poorly or burnt out, and it's always a joint activity rather than a solo one. No tablets - I actually think TV isn't the big problem so much as handheld devices!

Bubble machines and moving mobiles or even under a tree usually work well for babies this age. Though as said it's very hard to work from home with a young baby/toddler this age. Also wearing young babies is a great way for them to settle, they're programmed to be attached to you.

Obviously to each their own and I understand the difficulty as I've had to quit my job to care full time. But I wouldnt do screens and we've been screen free for 10 months so far and plan as long as I can.

Its really awful for them. At 4 months your baby should be able to be entertained by a mobile (toys above crib) or maybe like those galaxy lights that move on your ceiling. Honestly a lot of people give moms this impression that its easy to work and care for a baby, its not. Its damn near impossible and it gets harder and harder as they begin to crawl and then walk. I think best thing for you would be getting a sitter even if youre home if you want to continue working.

we’ve done 8 months of screen free. it isn’t easy but it’s more than possible.

I personally wouldn’t worry too much, we used the occasional ms Rachel to entertain our girls here at there at this age and by 7/8 months they weren’t at all interested in the tv. They are a year now and don’t pay any attention to the tv at all

I really wouldn't give this a second thought. I gave two much older children and they had loads of screen time..it was the 90s! They are absolutely fine as are all of the babies I know who had the same at the time! My now 3 month old will have the odd sit in front of the TV to allow me to get a few jobs done and I have no concerns. Your little one isn't sitting in front of it day in day out and if you weigh up the risk of occasional screen time alongside stressed out mum, it's a no brainer..give yourself a break, this is hard work and everyone's experience is different, yours works for you both so all good x

You are doing a great job. Parents who don't care wouldn't be concerned! The judgement on mums is huge..work/don't work, nursery/no nursery etc etc. I have a 27 year gap between my second and third child...🫠 My biggest observation is the added pressure put on parents that never used to be there. I dont think the Internet and social media helps! In my opinion, limited screen time use is at the bottom of my list! Of course you have to work and you may have to jiggle bits around and compromise on some things to do this. I dont really want my little boy to go to nursery when the time comes but he'll have to and he'll be fine. Exactly the same as your little one will be with the odd screen distraction. If I listed all if the things I did as a very young mum with my first two, it would go against probably all advice now. They are both fully formed, happy well balanced adults. You are doing a grand job, don't doubt it x

It was one of the best jokes of this comedy show we went to recently - new parents imagining that they can keep their babies screen free 😉 So don't beat yourself up too much. It's what happens to most of us sooner or later.
Having said that, I have just done a month of work from home and it took a lot of juggling, but I managed to keep my baby almost entirely screen free (she does get a glimpse of my laptop here and there when I'm working next to her and she's playing, but she's not in front of the) 🙏 Basically, we had her on rotation between 4 different play stations, which keeps her busy for 15-20 minutes at a time - when she gets bored, we just move her to the next one and so on. We also keep all her soft and small toys in a basket, so she can keep getting excited about them as she has to pick them out herself.
Also, I have recently been coming across a lot of ads on baby activity books that should be a good way too keep baby busy for ages. Don't know if they work, personally, but may be worth a try?