Basic Principles of Attachment Parenting
Co-sleeping, Breastfeeding, Baby-Wearing, and Cloth Diapering
Oct 2, 2008
Attachment parenting, the phrase coined by Dr. William Sears, is a form of parenting that has a set of distinct principles attached to it. Sears uses the term to identify parents who raise their children in a way associated with older tribal beliefs about a child’s need to connect physically with his parents.
Co-Sleeping
Co-sleeping, which some outside the attachment parenting community call “bed-sharing,” is the belief in parents sleeping in the same bed as their children. Various arrangements exist in co-sleeping families, and unlike separate sleeping families, these arrangements change as the needs of the parents and children change. Children sleep in the room with their parents from birth onward, and most co-sleeping families are able to do very safely. As the children age, they have the option of staying in the parental bed or moving to their own room with the parents supporting the decision that works best for each child.
Extended Breastfeeding
Though breastfeeding is returning in popularity in the United States, many mothers stop before the age of one. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests exclusive breastfeeding until at least six months and indicates a baby who breastfeeds until 2 has better health. Sears and other attachment parenting advocates argue instead for child-led weaning, or extended breastfeeding. These parents argue that children should be able to wean when they would like, and in some situations children may breastfeed well into the preschool years.
Baby-Wearing
The practice of baby-wearing is one common to pre-industrial societies. Baby-wearing means using a piece of cloth to tie together mom and baby. Dads also can practice baby-wearing but may need to do so using different configurations to account for a man’s different physique. In the United States, most people who follow the Sears advice on baby-wearing using a ring sling, a Moby, a mei tei, or another commercialized version of baby wrap.
Cloth Diapering
Parents who believe in attachment parenting also tend to believe in environmental consciousness, which is one reason these parents tend toward cloth diapering over using the more convenient disposable option. Many do it because Sears and other advocates contend cloth diapering gives babies a more natural feeling, rather than keeping their bottoms in plastic, which reduces problem bacteria and helps baby feel more secure.
Attachment parenting requires a commitment by the parents to make very conscious decisions that often violate the beliefs of mainstream parenting experts, including most pediatricians. These practices are foreign to the American experience, and as such require a steadfast devotion on the part of Mom and Dad.
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