Is Attachment Parenting Right for You?

I have a wonderful four year old little boy and I have found an awesome style of parenting that has made our lives easier. It's called Attachment Parenting. We practiced it with our little guy and it has made a major difference in our lives. Attachment Parenting was set forth by Dr. William and Martha Sears who brought Attachment Parenting into the public eye. However we didn't practice it to the dot, therefore I'll tell you about Attachment Parenting for a real mom's point of view.

The first thing I learned from Dr. Sears and other moms who were practicing attachment parenting was to learn about the birth process and plan for a birth that is intervention free as possible. From experience, I can tell drugs do make it harder to get started on breastfeeding. I would research all options from having the baby at home to having him in the hospital with a doctor. Also prepare emergencies because birth doesn't always go as you planned.

Forming an early connection to your child is very important. This is the best time to get started breastfeeding and for a lifelong bond. Having your baby "room in" with you after a hospital birth rather than in the nursery is a great way to do this. I was a nervous rack very time they told my little boy out of the room. The last night I insisted that they leave him in the room. I found no reason for him to leave. He was doing well and needed me not a bath.

Another part of Attachment Parenting is responding quickly to your baby's cries and knowing that you can't "spoil" him by feeding and holding him whenever he needs you to. This part of attachment parenting made a huge difference for my husband and me. We found that he cried a lot less if we responded quickly. I think he knew hew as loved and would be taken care of.

One of the most important parts of attachment parenting is breastfeeding. Most parents who practice attachment parent breastfeed exclusively andon baby's cue for at least 6 months. Then follow that by the introduction of solids when your child is ready combined with continued nursing. Most attachment parents believe in child led weaning. For a lot of kids this means nursing until a year old or older.