Tag Archives: attachment parenting

Wearing Your Baby May Enhance Learning

Research is showing that babies who are worn often by their parents have increased visual and auditory alertness, two factors that contribute to a baby learning about the world. There are two factors that experts believe contribute to this phenomena. The first is that wearing a baby puts it into a state of content alertness. Instead of crying or demanding attention, the baby is quiet and happy. This situation of content alertness is the state when babies can process learning the best. Since babies who are worn have more time spent in quiet alertness, they have more opportunity to learn. … Continue reading →

Co-Sleeping Versus Bed Sharing

Having a baby brings all sorts of controversial things into your life. Will you breast feed or bottle feed? Did you have a “natural” pregnancy or one with the help of pain medication. Do both parents work, or does one stay home? People have strong opinions on these topics. Then there are the sleeping arrangements. The decision on where your baby sleeps can not only be an issue of parenting choices, but one of safety as well. You might be surprised to learn that the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) actually recommends the practice of co-sleeping. But, before you jump … Continue reading →

What Child Led Weaning Is Not

We’ve recently been discussing how old is too old to be breastfeeding in the forums. As a result of this discussion, I’ve realized that there’s lots of misinformation regarding child led weaning. Since we were already talking about weaning in the baby blog anyways, I though it would be helpful to start our discussion with what child led weaning is NOT. It is extremely rare for babies to wean themselves before one year of age. I would actually go so far as to say it is not the norm for babies to wean themselves before 18 to 24 months. Yet … Continue reading →

Ask a Baby Blogger: How Young Is Too Young for Discipline?

The question: My husband feels that we can begin disciplining our 1 year old child by giving him time outs and spanking him. I think he’s too young. What is your opinion on how young a child can be disciplined? I don’t think there is a magical age at which a child can be disciplined in terms of time outs or other tools that you may use. I think it depends on the child, the infraction and what exactly ‘discipline’ means in your household. I also want to point out that there is a big difference developmentally between a 13 … Continue reading →

Ask a Baby Blogger: Why Can’t You Breastfeed a Baby on a Schedule? Part 2

Question: I always hear about you’re supposed to breastfeed on demand but I have a problem with this. First of all, I feel like the baby needs to work on my schedule, not me being a slave to the baby. Second of all, I don’t think it’s healthy for babies to “snack” like that. Doesn’t that just set them up for bad eating habits later? Thirdly, I think it spoils a baby to respond every single time they cry. And finally, if my baby is on a schedule won’t he sleep through the night better? Yesterday I addressed the first … Continue reading →

Ask a Baby Blogger: Why Can’t You Breastfeed a Baby on a Schedule?

Question: I always hear about how you’re supposed to breastfeed on demand but I have a problem with this. First of all, I feel like the baby needs to work on my schedule, not me being a slave to the baby. Second of all, I don’t think it’s healthy for babies to “snack” like that. Doesn’t that just set them up for bad eating habits later? Thirdly, I think it spoils a baby to respond every single time they cry. And finally, if my baby is on a schedule won’t he sleep through the night better? In responding, I have … Continue reading →

The 7 Baby B’s of Attachment Parenting

New parents frequently approach attachment style parenting as a list of rules. Nurse on demand. Co-sleep with your infants. Don’t let them cry. Carry them in a sling. While there is definitely a list of parenting behaviors that can be categorized as “attachment style”, attachment parenting is anything but a set of rules. Each individual family must decide how best to meet their infant’s needs given their circumstances. But for those who are looking for a place to begin, a set of guidelines to start exploring in taking care of your infant, here is a list of Baby B’s, as … Continue reading →

Popular Sleep Strategies

Parenting magazine listed the following sleep strategies as among the most popular with parents and children. I want to make it clear that I neither condemn nor endorse any of these sleep strategies. In my experience, every child is different and children need a different strategy to help them learn how to sleep. For months, my daughter would drift off to sleep in my arms and I would put her to bed. Then as she got older, I could lay her down, perform the same routine and tell her night night and she would drift off to sleep. Sometimes she … Continue reading →

The Symptoms of Reactive Attachment Disorder

The clinical, medical definition and The Diagnostic Criteria For Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) may be difficult to read and understand. Unless, you are the parent of a RAD child and then for some reason those few paragraphs mean much more. The symptoms of Reactive Attachment Disorder parents generally witness are far more specific and obvious. Some of the commons Attachment Disorder Symptoms include: A child who is superficially engaging and charming with strangers and visitors. A child who is Indiscriminately affectionate with strangers, including hugging and talking about intimate family details. A Child who fails to make or maintain eye … Continue reading →

Baby Wearing

The practice of wearing one’s baby is not really common here in the United States. Although it is becoming more common, most women schlep babies around in a stroller. So why would you want to carry your baby around all day? The benefits, although not widely publicized, are well researched in sociological studies. Baby wearing is quite common in other parts of the world. Here are some reasons why: 1. Wearing your baby allows you to get things done and soothe your fussy baby. It also is very convenient for breastfeeding. 2. Your baby cries up to 46% less! I … Continue reading →