Am I to late to follow attachment parenting?

KKenworthy12

My little guy is 6 months old....I am so new to this attachment parenting thing.....I would really love to know what all it entails and research it, but am I to late, is he to old?  He sleeps with me or right next to me in a rock and play. I make all of his food. I didnt breast feed breast feed because I had no milk come in....(I have a few health issues) I cloth diaper. 

How can I get started now?

I tried wearing him, but nethier one of us were comfortable. Maybe I need to try a different carrier?? any suggestions?

Tonya_G

Sounds like you're already pretty APish to start with. Seriously, it's not an all or nothing proposition. It's about reading your child's cues and needs and responding to them with love and care, while at the same time, balancing what is best for your whole family.

As for carriers, what kind did you try? He may or may not like it now- lots of LO's don't like being in a carrier unless they're on the go, so perhaps it could be something to try out when at the store or on a walk?

EmmieB

Tonya_G:

Sounds like you're already pretty APish to start with. Seriously, it's not an all or nothing proposition. It's about reading your child's cues and needs and responding to them with love and care, while at the same time, balancing what is best for your whole family.

As for carriers, what kind did you try? He may or may not like it now- lots of LO's don't like being in a carrier unless they're on the go, so perhaps it could be something to try out when at the store or on a walk?

this. and see if you can find a local babywearing group!

Harper'smom

There is no one road to AP. You will find mamas on this board who researched AP and commited themselves to the principles before their lo's arrived, others whose lo's gave them little choice in the matter, and some like me who were AP before we knew what to call it and several other stories. I personally started off knowing I wanted to bf and co-sleep. As my daughter became a toddler positive discipline became very important to me and I realized we would continue nursing indefinitely. We went through some tough bouts of separation anxiety when she was 16mos and it wad not until then that babywearing became a part of our daily lives. I was uninformed about baby carriers and turned off by the bjorn when she was an infant. With the help of this board I found a carrier that worked great for us. So no it is certainly not too late to start babywearing even if you missed the Moby boat like I did. There is a wide spectrum of AP represented on this board and yeah it sounds like you fall somewhere within that spectrum. :-)

TabithaGoins

Definitely not to late at all, you still have a lifetime of parenting ahead of you

Have you read any of the books by Dr. Sears or looked at his website, it might be helpful to give you some insight into attachment parenting.  AP isn't all about if you bf'd, cloth diaper or bw, although you will find there seems to be common ground there.  To me attachment parenting is about being sensitive to a childs need which in turn builds a strong emotional bond. There are also eight principals that help build this.

As far as bw'ing goes there are some great sites that you can buy used carriers from like thebabywearer.com and diaperswapper.com.  There are also stores that do trials.  But if you have a local bw'ing group that would be perfect

Starfish113

not too late at all! and as PPs said, it's really about responding to your child's cues and always making him feel comfortable and happy. i also do not BF (wasn't able to) but i also cosleep, make my own food, and baby wear. DD really didn't like to be worn until 6 months, so you're in good shape, maybe he'll start to like it soon

hailey1312

I just kinda gradually fell into the AP way. I was almost anti-AP when I was pregnant but after I had my LO I became more and more AP and now realize it just fits me so much better. I think it is a mindset/ way of doing things not so much specifics like bed sharing etc. Although those things are pretty common too. I want to try to convert my DH, I don't think he quite understands, yet, but he will in time. I think it's probably never too late.

someflower6

laura_belle:

I consider myself AP (light) and I do not bf anymore, use disposables and he sleeps in his crib because that is where he sleeps best.  I also work fulltime.  I trust my instinct and respond to my child's cues and needs and let that drive my parenting rather than "this book says I should do this even though LO fights it and it doesn't work with him".  I also try to make the best choices for my family and balance a happy and healthy homelife.  To me, this was natural and I didn't understand that not everyone parented that way. 

yeah, all this.

honestly, i'm just all about loving on my baby. i think as long as you love on your baby and meet his/her needs in a way that makes sense to you, you're working on forming a secure attachment.