Attachment Parenting

Attachment parenting (AP) is one way natural mothers choose to make their parenting simpler and more basic. As many Moms have found out, you may already be an attached parent by following your Mamas instinct and just didn't know there was a name for what you already do. For those who have no clue what it is, Attachment Parenting can be defined by eight principles:

• Preparation for Pregnancy, Birth and Parenting This is when you read and learn as much as you can about how your body works so you can work with it and be at peace, as much as possible, throughout the whole childbearing/childbirth process. Once all childbirth options are researched, many mothers lean towards having a natural child birth. Informed mothers tend to be more peaceful when the time comes.
  
  
  
  
• Feed with Love and Respect AP Mamas usually choose to breastfeed their babes and older children because it is the best thing to give a child. Although, just because breast is best doesn’t mean breastfeeding is an easy process. My breastfeeding journey was filled with potholes and detours until recently. Once you do get things going and can be considered a breastfeeding couple, the bonding time is so sweet to a Mamas and her baby’s heart.
  
  
  
  
• Respond with Sensitivity Did you know that you can respond to your infants’ elimination needs? It's called Elimination Communication. Many Mamas around the world do this, but it’s only recently that mothers closer to home are choosing to learn these ancient ways and work with their child’s natural desire to stay dry.
  
  
  
  
• Use Nurturing Touch In order to touch, you have to be close. How much closer can you get than to be carrying your baby in a carrier that holds them close to your body just as if you were holding them in your arms? That’s why natural Mamas like to wear their babies! Babywearing is nothing new in motherhood. Women of all different cultures have worn their babies against their bodies in the past. That's just what mothers do!

Ensure Safe Sleep, Physically and EmotionallySome Mamas start to sleep with their babies either in the same room or in the same bed together. This is called co-sleeping. The co-sleeping baby gets their hunger satisfied as soon as possible (by the breastfeeding mother) leaving the need to cry out of the equation! The whole household can now enjoy having a new baby instead of resenting and becoming angry at being woken up countless times in the night. Mama gets rest, baby gets rest and so does everyone else in the home . This is how AP contributes to a more basic and simple life. Provide Consistent Loving Care Many attached mothers choose to stay home with their children. In this way, parents are assured the best childcare. A parent at home provides for a child to have a multitude of boding experiences that solidify the parent/child relationship.

Source: etsy.com via Sarah on Pinterest