What Makes Attachment Parenting Unique?

In today’s world of independence and self-sufficiency, many people find the method of Attachment parenting unique. This is a method of parenting that does not value the independence of the child but rather serves to promote dependence between parent and child. But there is far more that is interesting and unique to this style of parenting. If you are considering using Attachment parenting, here is some information on what makes it unique-

•Breastfeeding-Attachment parenting highly promotes breast feeding. While the concept of breastfeeding is certainly not new or unique(woman have been doing it for centuries) modern society has worked hard to promote the idea of the bottle-fed baby. In fact, for many years in the last century women were actually encouraged not to breastfeed their baby with many “experts” stating that bottle feeding was better. In a reversal to this trend, Attachment parenting advocates feel that breastfeeding is the best method not only for the nutritional value but for the closeness and bonding that happens between mother and baby.

•Bed sharing or co-sleeping-Attachment parenting promotes the use of the “family bed”. There are many different reasons for this, some of them being: easy accessibility for nighttime breast feeding, increased closeness to parents and increased opportunity for physical closeness and touching. The idea of bed-sharing is extremely different from the prevailing sleep theories that include having infants in their own room, separate beds for everyone and no bed-sharing with parents. There is continued disagreement over the philosophy of bed -sharing with sleep experts saying that this method of parenting ranges from stunting social growth by limiting independence to putting babies in danger by increasing the risk of SIDS or even suffocation by an adult sleeper who may roll over on them. Advocates of Attachment parenting that use “co-sleeping” report that children eventually move themselves into their own beds and do not suffer from lack of independence. In addition they report that children who have experienced this method of parenting suffer less from night-time fears and are easier to put to sleep and sleep longer.

•Baby-wearing-Attachment parenting includes the practice of wearing the baby next to the caregiver through the use of a sling or pouch. This is gaining in popularity among all parents but is highly unique to mainstream parenting where parents use baby carriers, prams and strollers to transport their babies. Parents who are using this method feel that the increased contact between baby and caregiver promotes increased trust and sensitivity which is the foundation of a good lifelong relationship between parent and child. It is felt that the baby is less stressed since he is familiar before birth with the mother’s heartbeat and rhythms and with baby-wearing is able to continue experiencing them, making for a less traumatic transition from womb to real-life.

•Sensitivity to baby’s cues-One of the unique aspects of Attachment parenting is the caregiver’s immediate response to baby’s cries. Parents using Attachment parenting feel that there is no need to let a baby “cry it out” as crying is the only way the baby can communicate his or her desires. This is contrary to popular parenting methods today that advocate letting a baby cry it out for awhile before the caregiver responds.

•A set of recommendations, not strict rules-One of the most unique things about Attachment parenting is that the basis of this method is learning what is needed for your baby. Attachment parenting principles are meant as a guide to go by that can be modified and adapted to fit your lifestyle and your baby’s needs. In vivid contrast to this are the many modern day parenting methods that are made up of strict rules and regulations that must be adhered to closely and followed explicitly.