Attachment Parenting- Raising a Natural Child

Forge Bonds Through Babywearing, Co-sleeping, Breastfeeding and Love

Mar 30, 2009

Introduced into the mainstream by Dr. William Sears, and centered around natural child-rearing methods, Attachment Parenting is a growing trend among today's new parents.

Based on the Attachment Theory in Developmental Psychology, the aim of Attachment Parenting (AP) is to form a strong emotional bond between the parent and child. This bond promotes empathy and helps the child form secure, healthy relationships later in life.

Goals of Attachment Parenting

Though the boundaries of Attachment Parenting are wide and varied, there are many common practices which advocates use to help them attain these goals.

Natural Childbirth and Home Birth

While not all Attached Parents choose to give birth naturally, many do. A growing number of women are now choosing to give birth naturally, whether in the hospital, at home, or in a birth center.

Extended Breastfeeding

Many Attached Parents not only breastfeed their infants, but also practice extended breastfeeding, (breastfeeding past the first year). In addition to the bonding and obvious emotional benefits extended breastfeeding can provide, this practice has been proven to increase intelligence and both physical and emotional health in toddlers. These benefits can tracked even into adolescence.

Baby Wearing

One of Attachment Parenting’s main ideas is that the more you can keep your child close, the better. With this idea in mind, many advocates of this movement have chosen to carry their babies and toddlers in baby slings or wraps.

Experts say that “Attached” babies communicate earlier and learn to speak earlier. This is quite likely because they are often carried in slings at eye-level, letting them follow conversations more easily.

Co-Sleeping

Attachment Parenting advocates believe that the safest place for a sleeping baby is in their parents’ bed. While this theory may be shocking to most Americans, it is in fact, standard practice throughout most of the world, and was practiced in all areas of the world until the 19th century.

According to Dr. Sears, co-sleeping not only gives your child the comfort of being near his parents, it can also prevent Sudden Infant Death (SIDS), also known as Crib Death.

Organic Foods and Natural Health

Recently, American families have realized the importance of organic, pesticide-free food for babies and young children.

Likewise, a growing number of families are seeking more natural choices in medicine. Homeopathy and other Eastern styles of medicine seek to bring the whole person to better health, using natural herbal-based remedies, rather than treat only the symptoms.

Anti-Vaccination

As well as pursuing natural health solutions, many parents are also choosing not to vaccinate. Though controversial, more and more families are making this decision for a variety of reasons.

These reasons range from allergies or sensitivities and the risks associated with many immunizations, such as the possible links between certain vaccines and autism.

Many vegans as well have chosen not to vaccinate, due to animal tissues and blood found in some vaccines.

Homeschooling, Unschooling and Co-operatives

Attachment Parenting begins with at least one ever-present, stay-at-home caregiver, so it is only natural that many parents then choose to transition into Homeschooling, Unschooling, or another parent-involved form of schooling.

Another common choice in Attached homes is to join a co-operative. In both Schooling and Babysitting Co-operatives, a group of parents alternately share responsibility for childcare and teaching of all the children involved.

Attachment Parenting is Centered around the Child

Overall, Attachment Parenting is about focusing as much time, affection and attention as possible on your child. Attached parents use practices such as natural birthing, breastfeeding, baby-wearing, and co-sleeping, among others others, in an effort to create physical health as well as healthy bonds, a capacity to empathize, and an emotional confidence and well-being that will stay with your child into his adult life.

The copyright of the article Attachment Parenting- Raising a Natural Child in Attachment Parenting is owned by Heidi Griffin. Permission to republish Attachment Parenting- Raising a Natural Child in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.