What is "attachment parenting"?

[Tia_B]

I have heard this term a lot around here. But what exactly does it mean to you? I have no idea really what it means. I mean ok I have a few ideas, but I guess Im kind of curious what it means to other moms. And what the literal meaning is, if someone knows and wants to share.

[Dzyre1115]

I don't know I'm attached to all mine and there was no "term" for it, LOL.  Here's a bump for you!

 

[KT9105]

I could be wrong but I think attachment parenting refers to cosleeping and "baby wearing" (carrying the baby around in a sling kind of thing).  I may try out baby wearing but I'm definintely not going to be a cosleeper - my hubby manages to take up enough room without adding a baby into the mix lol.

[allsolittle]

Quoting Dzyre1115:

I don't know I'm attached to all mine and their was no "term" for it, LOL.  Here's a bump for you!

BWAHAHAH I'm sick as hell and really LOL at that!! Me too!!

[marshsmom]

It's a term that was used by Dr. Sears that is based on the principles of attachment in the psychology field.  It's not really easy to answer your question, but here's a link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attachment_parenting

I think we all are attachment parents to some extint.

[CTRedSoxMom]

http://www.attachmentparenting.org/

The basical principles are...

Strive for Balance in Personal and Family Life

Practice Positive Discipline

Provide Consistent and Loving Care

Ensure Safe Sleep, Physically and Emotionally

Use Nurturing Touch

Respond with Sensitivity

Feed with Love and Respect

Prepare for Pregnancy, Birth, and Parenting

Long story short, breastfeeding, co sleeping, baby wearing... etc

[greensmurf]

Here is a really good article that defines attachment parenting. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attachment_parenting

Per Dr. Sears' theory of attachment parenting (AP), proponents such as the API attempt to foster a secure bond with their children by promoting eight principles which are identified as goals for parents to strive for. These eight principles are:

1. Preparation for Pregnancy, Birth and Parenting
2. Feed with Love and Respect
3. Respond with Sensitivity
4. Use Nurturing Touch
5. Ensure Safe Sleep, Physically and Emotionally
6. Provide Consistent Loving Care
7. Practice Positive Discipline
8. Strive for Balance in Personal and Family Life

These values are interpreted in a variety of ways. Many attachment parents also choose to live a natural family living (NFL) lifestyle, such as natural childbirth, home birth, stay-at-home parenting, co-sleeping, breastfeeding, babywearing, homeschooling, unschooling, the anti-circumcision movement, natural health, cooperative movements, naturism and support of organic and local foods.

[MomX04]

Just to make sure this is just me and how I feel, what other mothers and fathers do is none of my business and I'm not telling anyone how to raise their child.

For me it meant always being there for my kids and then some.  When they were little I carried them in carriers on my body instead pushing them in a stroller or carrying them in a car seat. 

When they go to bed I lay with them or they lay in the bed with me and their father, at times they stayed the whole night and as they got older (3 years until maybe 8 or until they didn't need me) I would lay with them in their bed until they fell asleep. 

I never let them cry it out because I fell it is cruel and would lead to my children doubting my concern and love for them.  Babies cry for a reason, not to annoy.  A knew my children's individual cries and responded to each one as needed.

[Dzyre1115]

Quoting KT9105:

I could be wrong but I think attachment parenting refers to cosleeping and "baby wearing" (carrying the baby around in a sling kind of thing).  I may try out baby wearing but I'm definintely not going to be a cosleeper - my hubby manages to take up enough room without adding a baby into the mix lol.

Oh then I guess I'm not as attached as I thought.......My kids have a crib and a stroller.  I need sleep and I am not carrying them everywhere.....Oh well they seem to have come out of it ok!  LOL!!!

[CTRedSoxMom]

We kind of "attachment" parent... we baby wear, but also have a stroller, but we co sleep and I can assure you, we all get great sleep. LOL

Quoting Dzyre1115:

Oh then I guess I'm not as attached as I thought.......My kids have a crib and a stroller.  I need sleep and I am not carrying them everywhere.....Oh well they seem to have come out of it ok!  LOL!!!

[marshsmom]

No where does it say "to be an AP you must WEAR your baby!"  It's a concept and a lifestyle.  People can pick and choose how to fit it into how they choose to live.  As I stated before I think we all AP in some way or form.  In order to know this you would have to read more than just the post on cafemom and really understand that it's not a set of rules to follow, but principles and ideas to adapt to your own life.  I wore my baby and I also strolled him and carried him in a carrier.  For gods sake he was 9 pounds at birth.  Wearing him wasn't an option for very long :)  But I still followed some of the principles of AP.  Do I call myself an Attachment Parent?  Nope, I don't do lables.  The only label I proudly carry is "mommy".

Quoting Dzyre1115:

 

Quoting KT9105:

I could be wrong but I think attachment parenting refers to cosleeping and "baby wearing" (carrying the baby around in a sling kind of thing).  I may try out baby wearing but I'm definintely not going to be a cosleeper - my hubby manages to take up enough room without adding a baby into the mix lol.

Oh then I guess I'm not as attached as I thought.......My kids have a crib and a stroller.  I need sleep and I am not carrying them everywhere.....Oh well they seem to have come out of it ok!  LOL!!!