"Attachment parenting is a style of caring for your infant that brings out the best in the baby and the best in the parents," according to Dr. William Sears, who coined the term.

"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." (Quoted from the Chattanooga Times Free Press).

So, what is your experience with attachment parenting??

Hello, my son is 13 months old and I've used attachment parenting since he was born.   I absolutely love this method and think it's great because it just felt natural for us....I had a natural birth (with an epidural) and had him put on my chest right after he came out...he roomed with me at the hospital, I fed on demand, had him sleeping in a bassinette beside our bed and eventually ended up co-sleeping, respond to his cried asap, and had him with me all the time....he is a very content little boy and I believe it's because of this technique....unfortunatley I have to return to work in the fall and I work shifts so we've begun getting him to sleep in his own bed (I'd love to keep things as is, but am not able to) and yes, we've resorted to the cry it out method...but I've modified it somewhat and do respond to his initial cries...I go into comfort him and he's able to get to sleep much faster.....It's not ideal, but it's what we have to do at this point (other "gentle" sleep solutions have not worked for us)

I think attachement parenting is great, despite all the criticism I've recieved from outside parties...it's natural, it helps form a strong bond and it just feels right for us!

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. Engage in Nighttime Parenting


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, the anti-vaccination movement, natural health, cooperative movements, and support of organic food.

However, Dr. Sears does not require a parent to strictly follow any set of rules, instead encouraging parents to be creative in responding to their child's needs. Attachment parenting, outside the guise of Dr. Sears, focuses on responses that support secure attachments

I used to Dr. Sears attachment parenting. Wearing her all of the time BF. Co-sleeping. Since I was single when I had her..it kind of had to work that way. She is 4 years old. We are super close. She will well disciplined. My most important goal was to work on her emotional IQ. She saw a tree the other day without leaves and she said "AWWW, poor tree." She has a great sensitivity for life and all living things.

Also, I remember always putting her on my chest, bathing with her, loving her. Remember, the first language we speak is TOUCH. It's a beautiful thing.

I am going to be a AP parent . I was raised by an AP parent and its great . I believe in natural pregnancy /labor /parenting . Our kids deserves the best so why not give them the ultimate best