Attachment Parenting...Is It Another Form of Extreme Parenting?

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 are Dr. William Sears' principles of Attachment Parenting.  He does not set any strict rules about how to do Attachment Parenting, although he does promote breastfeeding, baby wearing and co-sleeping in order to better form this attachment with baby.  Recently Time magazine did a story on this type of parenting and interviewed parents who are taking this form of parenting to the extremes.  Any form of parenting to the extremes is not good and does not do justice to this form of parenting.  Remember Tiger Mom and BFF Moms. 

My opinion on Attachment Parenting is mixed.  I believe that it is important to develop a bond with your baby.  The DSM-IV has several disorders associated with a baby not forming this attachment.  However, this bond can be formed without breastfeeding until your child is ready for school, carrying your baby around until you can't carry them anymore or allowing them to sleep in a family bed until their twelve.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding for the first twelve months of life and thereafter as long as baby and mother choose to do it.  I think that breastfeeding after the time that your child is toddling around can hinder their development into a little individual.  Teeth and toddling is my personal cut offs for breastfeeding. 

The family bed or co-sleeping is a hot topic for parents.  Some cultures strongly promote the idea of the family bed and I don't want to stomp on anyone's cultural beliefs.  I, personally, am not in favor of the family bed because of the possible danger to the baby (mom or dad rolling over in their sleep onto baby) and what it does to the marital relationship.  In a time when the marital relationship is already undergoing significant change, not having this couple time may put added stress on the relationship.

Some of the ideas associated with Attachment Parenting are very sound and others are very extreme.  My recommendation to you is as always, "Parent in the in betweens, not the extremes".