8 principles of attachment parenting

So what is attachment parenting really about? Attachment Parenting International (API) identifies AP as guided by eight principles. The practical application varies greatly but it often looks something like this:

- Birth: Prepare for birth and become educated about natural birth options and their benefits for baby and mother.

- Breastfeeding/breast milk: A human mother’s milk is the optimal food for human babies, and bottle feeding should mimic as many aspects of breastfeeding as possible.

- Be sensitive: Respond sensitively to your children.

- Bonding through touch: Use physical contact such as baby wearing, breastfeeding, and massage to convey tenderness, love, and affection.

- Bedding: Parent your children at night as well as in the day, looking to safe co-sleeping as an option.

- Be there: Ensure consistent parenting by a primary caregiver or a trained and sensitive substitute.

- Be gentle: Use positive discipline, forgoing corporal punishment.

- Balance: Balance your needs with those of your child.

Tags: attachment parenting, accent, parenting, family