NFS logo
Introduction
Natural Family Planning
Other Sites
Natural Childbirth
Breastfeeding
Family Bed
Attachment Parenting
Infant Massage
Natural Living
Home Schooling
Other Sites
Books
Catalogs
Comments

Google
Baby

Attachment Parenting

Attachment parenting involves creating a strong bond between mother/father and the child. It is also natural mothering because it involves doing what comes natural to a mother when social and culturial influences are eliminated. Benefits can include a less fussy and happier baby and more sensitive parents. The following are common ways to practice attachment parenting:
  • Having a natural, peaceful childbirth and bonding with the baby through rooming-in at the hospital
  • Breastfeeding the baby on demand as opposed to a schedule
  • Answering baby's cries quickly (not letting baby "cry it out")
  • Wearing the baby as much as possible using a sling or baby carrier
  • Having baby with you as much as possible (avoiding baby sitters if possible)
  • Having baby sleep in your bedroom (either in your bed or in a crib next to your bed) so you can respond quickly to baby and he can adjust to your sleep cycle.
  • Avoiding using material items sooth baby such as pacifiers, swings, strollers, etc. By offering yourself to comfort baby, baby learns to form strong human attachments.
As the parent, you can choose the level of attachment that is comfortable for you and decide to use any number of the attachment methods in your family. Below are links for sites promoting attachment parenting.
  • Attachment Parenting FAQ
      Frequently Asked Questions about Attachment Parenting.
  • Attachment Parenting
      Attachment Parenting is a style of parenting that encourages parents to be understanding, patient and spend more non-"quality time" with their babies & toddlers (e.g. sharing sleep).
  • Attachment Parenting International
      Attachment Parenting International is a coalition of concerned individuals, professionals, and grassroots organizations. We advocate attachment parenting methods that develop and fulfill a child's need for trust, empathy, and affection to create secure and enduring relationships.
  • Attachment Home Page
      This web site is dedicated to helping parents and children develop strong attachments and bonds. This, we believe, is the way to security, self-esteem, and peace.
  • Wearing Your Baby
      The advantages of close contact.
  • Parenting Resources
      Great site which includes information and links on attachment parenting, christian parenting, stay-at-home mom resources, and gentle discipline. Also see the home page for this site: Kidz are People Too which is a wealth of information on caring for a toddler and infant, natural healthcare, breastfeeding, childbirth and more!
  • The Naural Child Project
      The Natural Child Project includes articles and advice on "parenting and education that respects children". The site includes articles by a number of mental health professionals as well as a children's art gallery.

Articles by William and Martha Sears

Great Books!

The Continuum Concept : In Search of Happiness Lost (Classics in Human Development) by Jean Liedloff

    The author spent 2.5 years living in the jungles of Venezuela. There she obsesrved how the Yequana tribe lived and raised their children. From her observations she suggests that carrying a baby for the first 5-8 months (as well as other things) can create a happier baby. Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful! I loved it!

Also William Sears is a big advocate of attachment parenting and discusses those concepts in his books below:

The Baby Book : Everything You Need to Know About Your Baby from Birth to Age Two by William Sears, Martha Sears

    Wonderful book! It truly is "Everything You Need to Know". I could have saved myself many calls/visits to the doctor if I had read this first - and they even explain it better than my doctor/nurses! It talks about baby health, safety (even includes info about infant CPR), baby care, breastfeeding, attachment parenting, nighttime parenting, and more... If I could only have one baby/parenting book - this would be it!

The Fussy Baby : How to Bring Out the Best in Your High-Need Child by William Sears

    Even if you don't have a fussy baby, this book can be good reading. It goes into why babies cry, the different types of crys, and how to respond. It promotes responding to baby before baby cries by picking up on his signals. This book was written before the one below and alot of infomation that is in this book is also in the one below.

Parenting the Fussy Baby and the High-Need Child : Everything You Need to Know - From Birth to Age Five by William Sears, Martha Sears

    This book shows you how responsive parenting can turn the challenge of a high-need child into a rewarding experience for both you and your child. I only read the portion which pertained to infants which I found to be very helpful.

BYG Publishing

BYG Publishing, Inc.
http://www.bygpub.com - info@bygpub.com
(888)294-7820 - P.O. Box 40492 - Raleigh, NC 27629

Questions or comments, email:
questions@bygpub.com

© 1997 BYG Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.