attachment parenting

Photo by corrie0227

Take this short quiz: Mom A breastfeeds, babywears, and co-sleeps. Mom B bottle-feeds, uses a stroller, and a crib. Which mom do you think is practicing Attachment Parenting?

The answer: It could be both of them or neither of them. Or yes, just one of them (but not the one you might think).

According to catholicmamamia's lovely and informative journal post Explaining Attachment Parenting (she's a professional AP Instructor),"It is a common misconception that attachment parenting consists solely of breastfeeding, babywearing, and a crib.

Attachment Parenting is not parenting method, it is not new, and it was not created by some doctor or a team of professionals. AP is a term lent to the style of parenting that was originally and instinctively practiced before the so-called professionals stepped in and began convincing parents to not trust their instincts or follow their hearts.

Think of a mom who is disconnected from her child. She breastfeeds and baby reaps nutritional and immunological benefits, but she does not stroke baby's skin or talk sweetly. She may use a sling but only because it makes doing what she wants easier. She may co-sleep, but only because she can get more sleep and does not snuggle baby at all. She does not put her heart into mothering.

Now think of a different mom, one whose health limits her mothering practices. She cannot breastfeed, so she is resigned to bottle-feed. She cannot wear her baby, so she uses a stroller. She cannot co-sleep, so she keeps a crib in her room. Her mothering practices do not include nursing, slings, and family bed. Yet this mother loves and adores her baby and spends every moment possible playing, reading, snuggling with her child. she anticipates her child's needs, both physical and emotional, and meets them to the best of her ability. Her body has 'failed' her, but she will not fail her child. She is a loving and devoted mom.

The ultimate goal of Attachment Parenting is to parent instinctively and gently in a manner that helps form stronger parent-child connections, allowing parents to raise children who are strong, intelligent, and compassionate."

Do you practice Attachment Parenting?