Understanding Attachment Parenting: Here’s What You Should Know

Ever realized why some parents are seen insisting on sleeping right next to their baby or carrying them everywhere like a sling? It’s attachment parenting! It’s not a parenting trend but a deep parenting concept and belief. The belief that when a child feels connected or secure, they are more likely to grow into an empathetic and confident adult. The main aspects of attachment parenting revolve around co-sleeping, breastfeeding on demand, or responding sensitively to every need of your child. And in such a parenting approach, your child knows that you back your child 24x7.

Read this article to learn about attachment parenting, its benefits, and the challenges that accompany it. 

The truth is—attachment parenting is not for everyone, especially not the weak. This is because you would need the energy, patience, and definitely flexibility in the sleeping schedule. Of course, you don’t need to practice every aspect when it comes to following attachment parenting.

The golden rule that you may need is—follow your intuitions and be responsive to your little one’s needs.

According to studies, attachment parenting has some positive impact on both parents and the child. Here are some benefits of adopting an attachment parenting approach to your lifestyle.

Attachment parenting is a way to ensure a secure attachment between parents and children. This way, practicing this approach results in strangers and a better emotional bond in the parent-child relationship.

The fact is, kids raised with attachment parenting are more likely to grow into a more confident and independent individual. This is because when kids get a strong base early on, they are eager to explore newer things knowing that they have a safe place to return to.

According to a study, skin-to-skin contact, a common aspect of attachment parenting, leads to reduced stress hormones in babies. And it’s relaxing for parents too.

Every parenting style is accompanied with some challenges, and the same goes for attachment parenting. Here are some potential challenges that may come your way.

When it comes to removing the sugarcoated reality, even attachment parenting is exhausting. Responding to every cry, nighttime wake-ups, and demands, especially if you’re struggling hard to balance other responsibilities, does not come easy. And if you’re co-sleeping, your baby might even need interrupted sleep goodbye kisses for a while.

Since attachment parenting is not a mainstream trend, you might even notice some raised eyebrows from others about baby wearing or co-sleeping choices. However, at the end, it’s your family, and you have to make the right choice for it.

As your child grows, it is equally important to set some healthy boundaries and maintain that balance between being responsive and giving independence if you really want to seek the benefits of attachment parenting in the long run.

Attachment parenting is all about building trust and security in the parent-child relationship. And it’s certainly not ‘following the strict rules’ kind of parenting but more of being there for you child all round the clock. Whether you want to dig all into attachment parenting or pick just a few elements of it, remember you’re doing great!