Attachment Parenting

Attachment Parenting is a parenting style.  It is not a set of rules.  The way families practice AP might look different.  Bottom-line:  AP is about connection.  It is about staying close to your child emotionally and physically.  It is about responding to the unique needs of your little one.  Dr. Sears defines AP by 7 tools that may (or may not) be used:

• Birth Bonding
• Breastfeeding
• Babywearing
• Bedding close to baby
• Belief in the language of your baby’s cry
• Beware of baby trainers
• Balance (in these ideals)

The Science of Attachment by Lauren Lindsay Porter:  An excellent article that translates Attachment Theory into layman’s terms.  She looks at the biological research that supports AP.

Links:

The Continuum Concept by Jean Leidloff:  This is the parenting book referenced by the Fockers–not sure if that helps or hurts!.  It was written by a writer who lived for two years among a South American Stone Age tribe and observed parenting that radically challenges Western practices. 

Dr. Sears:  Yep, I’m linking to him again.  He is considered by many to be the father of AP.  The link takes you directly to his articles on AP.  Good stuff. 

Julie’s Two Cents:  It just makes sense.