|
When you talk with a parent who practices attachment parenting, most often you will find a rested, confident parent and a happy, healthy child.
Parents who AP (attachment parent) have found out that our "standards" of caring for children under the age of three have become needlessly complicated and unsatisfying. Society today tends to separate parents and child as early as possible. By bringing parents and their babies closer, a stronger bond can be built and raising infants and toddlers can become even more relaxed and enjoyable.
Attachment parenting has a few basics to follow. The main ideas behind AP are keeping baby close, breast feeding, family bedding, and responding to baby in a positive way. At first, many parents may balk at these ideas, but once a parent uses these techniques they will find them more comfortable. By following the basics, a parent will often times find themselves in a more relaxed environment and have a very content baby.
Babies are born wanting to be held. By using an infant carrier it is easy to fill this need. When mom is carrying the baby, they see all that she is doing, they hear her voice and they feel safe. By simply keeping the baby close it is easy to reduce crying. Even colicky babies can find comfort in being held closely. Another thing to keep in mind is the more you hold your baby, the less money you have to spend on "gadgets" such as swings, bouncers and walkers. These things allow the baby to play, but all too often they are either uninterested or even downright frightful of these things because they still need to know mom or dad is nearby if something happens. By holding your baby, you show them the world from your safe arms. What could be better?
Breast feeding really adds to keeping baby close. When a mother breast feeds, her body produces a relaxing hormone which in turn can reduce her stress level. Infants can thrive on skin contact along with the wonderful nutritional values of breast feeding. Most breast fed babies are easily comforted by mom, and breast feeding is even easier at night since it eliminates the need for making bottles and there is very little clean up effort.
Family bedding, or co-sleeping is another concept in AP. By bringing the child into the parent's bed, they can be easily comforted during the midnight waking hours and may even sleep better than if they were in a crib. After taking a few safety precautions, a mother can often sleep better knowing that her child is close at hand and can react quickly to her baby fussing during the night. Often times, the baby can fall right back to sleep, resulting in more sleep for the parent.
Above all, one of the most important aspects of AP is responding to the baby. In Western society parents are taught to let the baby "cry it out" due to fear of spoiling the baby. In truth, crying is the baby's only way of communicating. By responding to the baby immediately, a parent gives the child a sense of trust and well being. Too many toys can spoil a child: holding a baby will not.
Overall, AP is a wonderful parenting style. By keeping your baby close, breast feeding, family bedding and responding to your baby's needs, you can help your child develop into a happy well adjusted child. Attachment parenting isn't following the experts, it is following your own instincts and doing what you think is best. By doing so, your life can be easier and less worrisome, as many other parents have found out for themselves.
|
| |
