Healthy Parenting

Attachment Parenting

Attachment Parenting is a phrase coined by the Pediatrician, Dr. William Sears in the 1980's. It stands for the concept of responsive parenting. Responding to the needs of your baby can mean many things, in AP they most often mean;

• Sleeping in the same room with baby, often in the same bed. There are many ways to accomplish this. Some use a crib "side carred" to the bed or a device designed specifically for co-sleeping called The Arm's Reach co-sleeper. Others simply sleep in the same bed as baby.

• Sleeping in the same room with baby, often in the same bed. There are many ways to accomplish this. Some use a crib "side carred" to the bed or a device designed specifically for co-sleeping called The Arm's Reach co-sleeper. Others simply sleep in the same bed as baby.

I'd like to address the CPSC's and the JFMA's (Juvenile Furniture Manufacturers Association) joint recommendation against co-sleeping. Aside from the fact that the CPSC has never before dispensed parenting advice and is not qualified to do so, the JFMA's board of directors is a laundry list of crib manufacturers who clearly have a conflict of interest. As with any and all things regarding babies, there are safety issues to be observed. Rather than clearly defining these safety issues, the CPSC and the JFMA did a huge disservice to the public by adhering to their monetary agenda by completely discrediting a valid method of sleeping and bonding with your children.

For more information, please see the API's (Attachment Parenting International) official response and follow ups to this issue. And here; http://www.babyreference.com/Cosleeping&SIDSFactSheet.htm

• Breastfeeding baby "on demand" or as needed. No schedules.
• Holding baby as much as possible. Using a sling or other carrier to keep baby close and feeling safe and bonded.
• Responding quickly when baby is crying. Not letting your child "cry it out" has been proven in research to be healthier for your child.

While most who follow Attachment Parenting usually do many if not all of the above listing, there are no rules involved. The only hard fast rule is to follow your instincts, your child's cues and do what is best for your family. Research indicates that this method of parenting creates a strong bond between mother/father and child.

Articles

Harvard study encourages cosleeping and responding to baby's cries
http://www.news.harvard.edu/gazette/1998/04.09/ChildrenNeedTou.html

An AP Masters Thesis
http://www.visi.com/~jlb/thesis.html

The Chemistry of Attachment by Linda Palmer
http://www.babyreference.com/BondingMatters.htm

Stress in Infancy by Linda Palmer
http://www.naturalchild.org/guest/linda_folden_palmer2.html

Attachment Parenting Research Links
http://www.drspock.com/article/0,1510,3927,00.html

The Natural Child Project: Resources for Caring Parents
http://www.naturalchild.com/research/

Changing The Sleep Pattern In The Family Bed by Dr. Jay Gordon
http://www.drjaygordon.com/ap/sleep.htm

Ferber Recants - on Co-sleeping
http://www.intuitiveparenting.org/ferber.html

Recommended Reading

• The Baby Book: Everything You Need to Know About Your Baby from Birth to Age Two
• Attachment Parenting: Instinctive Care for Your Baby and Young Child
• The Attachment Parenting Book : A Commonsense Guide to Understanding and Nurturing Your Baby
• Nighttime Parenting: How to Get Your Baby and Child to Sleep

Resources

The Natural Child Project
http://www.naturalchild.com/

Ask Dr. William Sears
http://www.askdrsears.com/

Attachment Parenting International (API)
http://www.attachmentparenting.org/

The Whole Family Attachment Parenting Association
http://members.tripod.com/~JudyArnall/

Shirley's Wellness Cafe - Attachment Parenting
http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/infant.htm

Natural Family Online
http://www.naturalfamilyonline.com/

Parenting Web
http://www.parentingweb.com/ap/ap_index.htm

The Child Friendly Initiative
http://www.childfriendly.org/

Attachment Parenting Blog
Popular parenting weblog focused on cosleeping, baby wearing, breastfeeding and other aspects of compassionate parenting.

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