Attachment Parenting?

horseymum

I'm six months pregnant with my fifth baby, and I only recently heard the term attachment parenting. It came up when I read an article about the singer Alanis Morrisette and the public ridicule she was receiving over attachment parenting with her son. Something about breastfeeding her son after age 22 months. Can someone tell me a bit more about what attachment parenting is? Maybe your info and tips can help me create an even stronger bond with my unborn. Also, can fathers be included in attachment parenting? Thank you!

sadsadie

I will refer you to "The Baby Book" by Dr. William Sears. It explains all of the basic principles and practices (which don't necessarily include nursing toddlers). Basically, as an AP you respond to your child's needs in order to build trust, confidence and future independence. Most of it is pretty intuitive and based on ages-old wisdom. Anyone can practice AP, and you can modify the principles and practices to fit your life and achieve family balance. It is not one-size fits all, and it doesn't demand that you "do this or else!" many people practice AP simply by being in-tune with their child's needs, without even realizing it! 

kcisthebombdotcom

Here is a basic overview of what attachment parenting is: https://www.attachmentparenting.org/principles/principles.php

Here's what a lot of parents do to facilitate the attachment. You don't necessarily have to do every single bullet point on here--if bedsharing doesn't work for your baby/your family, don't do it. Consider it more of a suggestion list:

https://www.askdrsears.com/topics/attachment-parenting/what-ap-7-baby-bs

While a lot of AP principals have to do with parenting an infant, it is possible to utilize it with older children. Positive discipline is very popular in the AP community. This website is really helpful in implementing it/using discipline strategies based on age. Check it out:

www.ahaparenting.com

Yes, fathers can AP. My DH bedshares and babywears all the time as well as uses positive discipline with the kids now that they're older.

GL!

PunkyBooster

AP is a label. It's a type of caregiving that women have been doing for centuries all over the world. Dr. Sears came along, saw a trend, slapped a label on it and viola! It's now the "in" thing to call yourself an AP-er. 

Signed,

A mom who EBF, CD, baby wears, blah blah blah just like millions of other moms in the world

theboki

KC_13:

Here is a basic overview of what attachment parenting is: https://www.attachmentparenting.org/principles/principles.php

Here's what a lot of parents do to facilitate the attachment. You don't necessarily have to do every single bullet point on here--if bedsharing doesn't work for your baby/your family, don't do it. Consider it more of a suggestion list:

https://www.askdrsears.com/topics/attachment-parenting/what-ap-7-baby-bs

While a lot of AP principals have to do with parenting an infant, it is possible to utilize it with older children. Positive discipline is very popular in the AP community. This website is really helpful in implementing it/using discipline strategies based on age. Check it out:

www.ahaparenting.com

Yes, fathers can AP. My DH bedshares and babywears all the time as well as uses positive discipline with the kids now that they're older.

GL!

 Great links.  Thanks!

ginafun

sadsadie:

I will refer you to "The Baby Book" by Dr. William Sears. It explains all of the basic principles and practices (which don't necessarily include nursing toddlers). Basically, as an AP you respond to your child's needs in order to build trust, confidence and future independence. Most of it is pretty intuitive and based on ages-old wisdom. Anyone can practice AP, and you can modify the principles and practices to fit your life and achieve family balance. It is not one-size fits all, and it doesn't demand that you "do this or else!" many people practice AP simply by being in-tune with their child's needs, without even realizing it! 

 

This!