Attachment parenting does exactly what the title suggests: promoting the bond between mother and baby through prolonged contact. This can be through co-sleeping, baby carriers, skin to skin contact and breastfeeding. It’s completely up to parents what way they ‘parent’ their baby. What’s important is that you do what’s best for you and your baby.
These are the ‘Seven Bs’ of attachment parenting as devised by Ask Dr Sears.
Birth-bonding: Sears says that a natural birth is ideal, with plenty of skin-to-skin following in the hours and days afterwards.
Breast-feeding: It’s highly recommended by the HSE that mothers breastfeed their babies for the first six months. Sears advises that this continues until the child is between one and four years of age.
Visit breastfeeding.ie for more information on breastfeeding.
Baby Wearing: Sears would advises mothers to ‘wear’ their babies for as much as possible, in a sling or baby carrier. He argues that this assists with both the baby’s sense of balance, and language acquisition.
Bedding close to baby: Co-sleeping is seen as a way of regrouping after busy days. Sears claims that it prevents separation anxiety and SIDS.
Belief in the language of the baby’s cry: Responding sensitively and quickly to your baby’s cry helps build trust. Not only that, but Sears recommends to read your baby’s cry and the early warning signs to intervene before the crying begins.
Beware of baby trainers: Sears advises to not undergo ‘sleep training’ at all, and would cite wariness about training your baby for short-term, time-saving goals.
Balance: Although completely aware of the somewhat arduous tasks that fall to the mother in attachment parenting, Sears would advise parents to stick with it. He recommends providing the mother with therapy and home help to make the journey as easy as possible.
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Originally posted 2014-08-06 14:45:06.