attachment parenting

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-19-2004
attachment parenting
1781
Mon, 08-14-2006 - 3:17pm

A woman I know (I used to work with her dh) practices "attachment parenting". Here is a definition (for those who don't know what it is):

"Attachment Parenting includes respecting your child's needs, feeding on demand, and answering your baby's cries. Other parts of Attachment Parenting include co-sleeping, nursing on demand, sling or other baby carrier wearing, and cloth diapering. Not all Attachment Parents practice all of the above, but never the less love the idea of Attachment Parenting and comforting their children.

Attachment parenting uses mild discipline methods and avoids all physical or emotional punishment, such as inflicting shame on a child for inappropriate behavior. Children are encouraged and allowed to sleep with their parents, and you treat your bed as the family bed. Meeting your child's needs according to the child's time frame during the early years of development is an essential part of attachment parenting. Children will be allowed to grow and learn at their own pace and not according to standard time frames."

What do you all think of attachment parenting?

I don't see attachment parenting as something a WOH parent could do, or could they? What do u think?

I am also curious to see if SAHPs vs/ WOHPs will have different opionions on this topic.

If anyone here practices attachment parenting - was your decision to do so closely linked with your decision to be a SAHP?

josee

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iVillage Member
Registered: 06-30-2006
Fri, 08-18-2006 - 11:16am
My pediatrician, whom I worship and adore, told us she usually has parents put their kids on skim pr reduced fat

Sabina

Oh, life is a glorious cycle of song,

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-02-2006
Fri, 08-18-2006 - 11:23am
Actually, as I stated in another post, I took leave for 18 months after my first birth. So, no, I didnt give up a career to nurse. Also, I stated that nursing was a big part of it, but I never said it was the only reason.
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-02-2006
Fri, 08-18-2006 - 11:24am
I didnt get a chance to respond earlier, so I'll just second your post as it says essentially what I would have said anyway.
Avatar for mommy2amani
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Fri, 08-18-2006 - 12:05pm

This depends on what you consider the standard. Providing breastmilk is not going above and beyond - it is the norm, designed to be baby's sole source of nutrition through infancy. With that in mind, formula is sub-standard. Now, if you consider formula normal, and breastmilk as providing something extra, your opinion would make sense. But what is provided in breastmilk is what a baby needs, and formula provides less than a baby needs to reach his/her full potential. IMO, that is detrimental. Doesn't mean millions of babies are not "fine" on formula, but they are not reaching their full potential.

Lora

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-30-2006
Fri, 08-18-2006 - 12:21pm

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Nonsense.

Sabina

Oh, life is a glorious cycle of song,

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-31-2005
Fri, 08-18-2006 - 12:22pm

"It's not a myth that cocaine and PCP abusers breastmilk is not superior to formula."

I don't think cocaine and PCP abusers should have custody of a baby, let alone nurse them.

"Another example is a woman who is undernourished and has a diet lacking in vitamins and minerals."

Easily remedied with proper diet and prenatal vitamin (very inexpensive at Walmart).

"Another example is an excessive caffeine drinker."

Another easy fix.

"A mother who smokes passes on nicotine to her baby via breastmilk."

Actually, research proves that even a smoker's breastmilk is superior to formula. So this is no reason to discourage a woman from nursing her baby.

"Certain women who take medications for chemotherapy, arthritis and kidney disease. Certain other medications that women take could be a cause for concern."

Yes, and there are often alternative medications that are safe for nursing mothers. Including antidepressants.

"So, not all breastmilk is superior to formula."

No, we can rule out the breastmilk of druggies and that of a tiny, tiny, tiny percentage of mothers with certain medical problems.

Have you ever read the ingredients label on a can of formula?

Avatar for myshkamouse
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Fri, 08-18-2006 - 12:25pm

However I still don't want my children to ever associate eating with comfort."

Good grief, why not? I associate cinnamon toast and chicken soup with comfort. Both make me feel a bit better. Both were given to me while I was sick as a child. Comfort food can be very nurturing.

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-02-2006
Fri, 08-18-2006 - 12:26pm
exactly... you keep replying... got a problem...
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-31-2005
Fri, 08-18-2006 - 12:31pm

"The doc says it's because by 2yo, breast milk is too rich."

Another myth. Now chocolate cake and french fries? That's another story. How can something perfectly designed for the human body be "too rich"? It's not like a 2 year old is drinking gallons of it; I believe closer to 19 ounces a day is an average.

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-09-2006
Fri, 08-18-2006 - 12:36pm

"I don't think cocaine and PCP abusers should have custody of a baby, let alone nurse them."

Well, alot of them still do.

"Another example is a woman who is undernourished and has a diet lacking in vitamins and minerals."

*Easily remedied with proper diet and prenatal vitamin (very inexpensive at Walmart).*

That's assuming that they will do that.

"Another example is an excessive caffeine drinker."

*Another easy fix.*

Again, assuming that they do decrease their consumption or quit.

"A mother who smokes passes on nicotine to her baby via breastmilk."

*Actually, research proves that even a smoker's breastmilk is superior to formula. So this is no reason to discourage a woman from nursing her baby.*

Nicotine in the breastmilk, nahhhh.

"Have you ever read the ingredients label on a can of formula?"

Not in about 8 years but you have to trust the mother is a conscientious human being who watches everything she puts in her mouth and that's not always the case in many parts of this country. So, therefore those babies would be better off on formula.

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