Attachment parenting, or ‘AP’ as it’s often referred to by more devout proponents, is a label that can arouse strong emotions and create  divisions among mothers. For some, it conjures up visions of latte- day hippies with bar- bottomed babies strapped to their bodies around the clock and seems too ‘out there’ to contemplate. For others, it can seem like an ideal that would be lovely, but is just too hard to live up to in this space age world with so many demands on mothers and not enough loving arms to share the load.

Attachment parenting was given its name by US paediatrician William Sears, who is renowned for his advocacy of responsive parenting and support of practices that encourage bonding and attachment, such as natural birth, breastfeeding, baby wearing and co-sleeping.  The essence of Attachment Parenting is about forming and nurturing strong connections between parents and their children through kindness, respect and dignity. Recommendations are based on the psychology of attachment theory and also recent brain research showing that early responsiveness to infant needs has positive lifelong effects on social and emotional development.  And, although parents who practice the philosophy of attachment parenting may also embrace practices such as elimination communication (nappy-free babies), cloth nappies and home schooling, these options are personal choices, rather than a prerequisite for bonding with your baby.

The principles of attachment parenting

There is no one-size-fits-all recipe for an attached (or any other) parenting style and there is no perfect score for  aspiring attachment parents: having birth interventions or not breastfeeding, for instance, doesn’t exclude you from being a responsive, loving parent. The organisation Attachment Parenting International (www.attachmentparenting.org) offers eight principles to help parents understand  and identify their children’s needs so they can become attuned and respond to their littlies with respect and empathy. These  guidelines can be adapted to many family situations and range from  preparing for pregnancy, birth and parenting to practising positive, non -violent discipline.

Preparation for Pregnancy, Birth and Parenting

Although there is a huge influence to get caught up in the material preparation for parenting – planning the nursery, buying baby gear and cute little clothes – it’s important to prepare physically for pregnancy – eat nutritious foods, exercise regularly and avoid stress when possible – and to educate yourself about birth options and parenting philosophies as well as normal infant development. Explore your own beliefs about parenting and set up support networks so that you and your partner can create a peaceful, welcoming environment for your baby.

Feed with Love and Respect

Feeding babies and children is more than simply providing nutritious food. Whether you are meeting the intense hunger needs of a newborn or sharing family mealtimes, this is a time for loving interaction that strengthens connections between parents and littlies: by respecting and responding to your baby’s early cues of rooting, grimacing and sucking that show he needs to suck for food or comfort, you will get to know your baby at an intuitive level, without wondering ‘what kind of cry is that?’ Later, this will transfer to offering healthy foods as your baby signals he is ready and, as he grows, encouraging him to follow his own body signals for hunger and thirst.

Attachment Parenting International advises that breast feeding satisfies an infant’s nutritional and emotional needs better than any other method of infant feeding and that nursing is a valuable mothering tool that continues to be normal and important nutritionally, immunologically, and emotionally beyond one year. They also make recommendations for mothers who aren’t breastfeeding to ‘bottle nurse’ by imitating breastfeeding behaviours such as changing sides during feeds and holding your baby while they suck on the bottle or dummy.

Respond with sensitivity

Although there is a lot of pressure to ‘train’ even tiny babies to self soothe or to avoid ‘spoiling’, research shows that baby brains are immature so babies are unable to soothe themselves or to manipulate you.  By putting yourself in your baby’s bootees and responding sensitively to his needs, you are teaching him about trust and empathy and laying a foundation for healthy relationships. It is normal for newborns to need almost constant holding but the upside is that, by keeping your baby close, you will become attuned to her early signals. This will mean less frustration and distress for both of you as your little one feels safe and secure. Creating a strong attachment to your baby means not only meeting his physical needs but also his emotional needs so it’s important to spend time playing and enjoying him too.

Use nurturing touch

Nurturing touch is as important a nutrient for your baby’s wellbeing as food: touch stimulates growth hormones, improves intellectual and motor development, and helps regulate babies’ temperature, heart rate, and sleep/wake patterns. There is also strong evidence that cultures with high rates of physical affection, touch, holding or carrying, rate low in adult physical violence.

You can incorporate loving touch and meet your baby’s need for physical contact, affection, security, stimulation and movement by ‘wearing’ him in a sling or wrap, cuddling skin to skin, bathing together and massaging your baby.

Ensure safe sleep, physically and emotionally

Attachment is a 24 hour process that doesn’t shut down when your baby sleeps. Your baby needs to have his needs met responsively at night time just as he does during the day. The easiest way to meet your baby’s night time needs is to share sleep with your baby.  This will also support breastfeeding by increasing your milk supply and making night time feeds easier.

You can either ‘co-sleep’ with baby next to your bed or, as long as you and your partner follow safe sleep guidelines (http://attachmentparenting.org/infantsleepsafety/) , bed sharing is a  lovely way to stay connected with your baby while he or she sleeps.

Provide Consistent Loving Care

According to Attachment Parenting International, babies and young children have an intense need for the physical presence of a consistent, loving, responsive caregiver: ideally a parent. They advocate creating daily routines that include your baby and avoiding unnecessary or long separations. If neither parent can be a full time carer, it is important to choose a loving, responsive carer who can form a close bond with your child and that you reconnect with cuddles and play after separations from your little one.

For more information about bonding with your baby, see Pinky McKay’s latest book ‘Parenting by Heart’ and her Parenting by Heart Mummy Member and Mummy Mentor programs.

HOME IS THE NEW FIRST GRADE – Teach Your Child to Count to 10 – Early Learning Method

Source: Opposing Views – http://goo.gl/bOKCK