Attachment parenting is a phrase used to describe a certain style of parenting. It is also known as Natural Parenting, Instinctive Parenting, Immersion Parenting and Continuum Parenting.
Attachment parenting encompasses a wide range of parenting principals. This type of parenting is usually set apart by the emphasis on the baby/childs needs rather than the parents needs. Attachment parenting involves listening and responding to your individual childs needs and avoiding unnecessary discipline. The belief is that as the childs needs are met you are encouraging them to become secure, content, happy and independent.
Although there is no clear definition generally speaking Attachment parenting will more often than not encompass aspects of more natural parenting such as babywearing, breast feeding, co-sleeping and child-led weaning. IMO none of these factors are needed to raise a secure and happy child but certainly they would help with the important bonding process that inevitably helps the parent to parent more instinctively.
This forum is dedicated to attachment parenting issues but this is not at he expense of other parenting styles.
Please be considerate towards others on this forum as you would on any other forum on Mumsonline.
This forum is open to anyone on Mumsonline with a interest in any attachment parenting aspects and to those who would like to post to have a more 'ap' perspective on a situation.