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Attachment parenting is a parenting philosophy founded on an interpretation of the principles of attachment theory. Its proponents believe that a major goal of parenting is to create strong emotional bonds, also known as a secure attachment, between the child and a parent or both parents. Attachment parents try to respond promptly to the child's emotional needs. They believe that a strong attachment helps the child develop secure, empathic, peaceful, and enduring relationships.
Similar practices are called natural parenting, instinctive parenting, immersion parenting or continuum parenting.
Attachment parenting attempts to create a natural, loving and responsive environment to meet baby's needs and enable mothers and fathers to be the best parents they can be.
Attachment parenting has a wide variety of interpretations, but usually would believe in:
- Home birth and especially unassisted home birth, meaning giving birth naturally, without midwives or doctors, or alternatively:
- Midwifery, which is generally judged to be better than hospital care, but not as non-interventive as unassisted home birth
- Breastfeeding on cue, meaning the baby is fed when exhibiting early hunger signs, such as squirming, fussing, grimacing, sucking or mouth-movements. More specifically, the baby does not have to beg or cry to be fed.
- Child-led weaning - the child nurses until he/she gives up nursing without pressure, encouragement, enticement or any other coercive method.
- Family Bed and co-sleeping, baby sleeps with parents (Studies of the effect of co-sleeping on infant death have shown conflicting results, with some studies showing decreased deaths, and some showing increased deaths.)
- Babywearing, which is carrying a child in a sling which should occur pretty much continuously for at least the first year.
- Informed medical decisions about vaccination, circumcision, medical procedures, early solid introduction, etc.
There are links of varying strength between the attachment parenting movement and homeschooling, the anti-vaccination movement, natural health, and proponents of organic food.
The phrase "attachment parenting" was coined by pediatrician William Sears and his wife Martha, who have published a number of books advocating the philosophy.
Criticisms of attachment parenting
There are a number of criticisms of attachment parenting, some revolve around practicality and other focus on childhood development issues.
One of the primary criticisms is that the recommendations of attachment parenting are not adequately validated by scientific study.
Another criticism is that the ideas behind attachement parenting can be very strenuous and demanding on parents. Parents may be unwilling or unable to meet these demanding goals. It can be argued that attachement parenting is even harmful for the parent because they put so much energy into building attachments with their children that they do not have time to develop mature and healthy adult relationships.
Another criticism is that it is impractical for households where both of the parents work outside of the home. The flip side of this is that for some families it could potentially become a source of conflict if one of the parents is outside of the home while the other is busy making these attachments. There is the potential for unbalanced parental relationships with the child.
Some critics argue that attachement parenting does not set appropriate boundaries for children. This leads, according to these critics, to a child not understanding natural limitations. Critics also contend that it is reverses normal roles where the children learn that by exhibiting a need they can control their parents rather than being controlled by the parents.
Critics also feel that attachment parenting has the potential to delay a childs development by not requiring the child to learn various skills necessary in life because a parent is always present to meet the child's needs for them.
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