Top 5 Attachment Parenting-Inspired Gifts for New Parents

Friends and family members are usually very enthusiastic when buying gifts for new babies. But as the attachment style of parenting grows in popularity, many traditional baby shower gifts are becoming obsolete. Attachment parenting concepts include breastfeeding on cue, babywearing, co-sleeping, and reading and responding to baby's signals. Gifts such as strollers, cribs, bottles and pacifiers, while well-intentioned, may end up going unused, gathering dust in their original packaging.

Listed below are five attachment parenting-inspired baby gifts that are sure to please new parents. And earn you lots of points for your insightfulness and sensitivity.

A baby carrier. One of the biggest concerns for new parents is soothing their baby's crying, and babies held in carriers are less fussy. While being worn, the baby can hear its mother's heartbeat, smell her, and feel her skin - all things that help babies make the adjustment to life outside the womb. Babywearing not only produces content babies, it also makes very attentive moms. Plus, wearing a baby frees up mothers' hands. Some of my favorites are: the Hotslings baby sling (a simple fabric loop, great for beginning babywearers), the Babyhawk Mei Tai (a traditional Asian-style carrier, colors and fabrics are customizable), the Ergo Baby Carrier (extremely comfortable, can be worn on back with older kids, dads love it too), and the Kangaroo Korner Adjustable Pouch (very comfortable and easy to use, better for cooler weather since it's made of fleece).