Do you practice Attachment Parenting?
Ash W's Story:
When I had my first son I didn't have a "parenting book" so I went to Barnes and Nobel and picked up the BIGGEST book I could find. It just happened to be Dr. Sears The Baby Book.
The Baby Book: Everything You Need to Know About Your Baby from Birth to Age Two (Revised and Updated Edition)
The Baby Book: Everything You Need to Know About Your Baby from Birth to Age Two (Revised and Updated Edition)
I had no idea about Dr. Sears philosophy or any parenting philosophies for that matter. But, I was on cloud nine and could not put my newborn baby down so Dr. Sears seemed like the perfect book for me!
Dr. Sears believes in attachment parenting.
I then attended a class through my hospital where they talked about "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Baby". This book talked about putting baby down every time they fell asleep. (I just wanted to hold my baby when he/she slept!)
Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child
Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child
I was conflicted and confused with what I believed.
Dr. Sears or Healthy Sleep Habits??
I decided to do a mix. I did what worked for ME and MY family. (We will talk more about sleep habits in our next series)...but I will tell you that I held my babies A LOT during the first three months. I also let my babies sleep in a bassinet right next to my bed until they outgrew it. I liked having my baby right next to me in their bassinet. (They were INSIDE of me for 9 months. How could I put them in a room across the house??) When it was time to move them into their crib, I slept on the floor of their nursery for a night or two to make sure they were okay. I held my daughter in a Moby Wrap
for the first three months up to 3-4 hours a day to keep her close to me. But, I also tried to put her down to fall asleep when appropriate. However, I would put her in her swing instead of her crib so I could still see her.
for the first three months up to 3-4 hours a day to keep her close to me. But, I also tried to put her down to fall asleep when appropriate. However, I would put her in her swing instead of her crib so I could still see her. Now...I wonder if this will be me in 18 years....
Ash B's Story:
I had to laugh at Ash W because we were totally different on this subject. I was SO scared to "baby" baby that I put her down not only every time she slept but she also spent a lot of time in her bouncy seat, play mat or just chilling on the floor with our dogs while awake. It isn't that I was doing other things, most of the time I just sat right by her and stared or cooed with her...but I just didn't want her to get used to being held all the time. I never used a sling or carrier, if we were out she was in her car seat or stroller.
I also REFUSED to rock her. I've heard horror stories of parents having to rock their 4 year olds to sleep and I just didn't want to do that. I'd rock her a little to give her a night time bottle or when she was super fussy, but that was about it. And making the transition to her crib? She was 3 weeks old when I couldn't handle her in our room anymore...I just couldn't get ANY sleep with all the times I felt the need to sit up and check on her. I was a little sad when we put her in the crib for the first time because she looked SO tiny, but I quickly got over it and even remember saying "good night Layla, we love you...you're on your own tonight kid so be good" LOL. Mom of the year right here. ;o)
Even though Ash W and I did things differently, our kids are VERY similar when it comes to sleeping through the night and clingyness (this would should be in the Dictionary). I think that goes to show that doing what works for you and your family may not necessarily have different results then what someone else is doing for their family. So feel free to hold that baby 24/7, or put her down and give your arms a break. Chances are they'll turn out fine (we hope!).
I had to laugh at Ash W because we were totally different on this subject. I was SO scared to "baby" baby that I put her down not only every time she slept but she also spent a lot of time in her bouncy seat, play mat or just chilling on the floor with our dogs while awake. It isn't that I was doing other things, most of the time I just sat right by her and stared or cooed with her...but I just didn't want her to get used to being held all the time. I never used a sling or carrier, if we were out she was in her car seat or stroller.
I also REFUSED to rock her. I've heard horror stories of parents having to rock their 4 year olds to sleep and I just didn't want to do that. I'd rock her a little to give her a night time bottle or when she was super fussy, but that was about it. And making the transition to her crib? She was 3 weeks old when I couldn't handle her in our room anymore...I just couldn't get ANY sleep with all the times I felt the need to sit up and check on her. I was a little sad when we put her in the crib for the first time because she looked SO tiny, but I quickly got over it and even remember saying "good night Layla, we love you...you're on your own tonight kid so be good" LOL. Mom of the year right here. ;o)
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Even though Ash W and I did things differently, our kids are VERY similar when it comes to sleeping through the night and clingyness (this would should be in the Dictionary). I think that goes to show that doing what works for you and your family may not necessarily have different results then what someone else is doing for their family. So feel free to hold that baby 24/7, or put her down and give your arms a break. Chances are they'll turn out fine (we hope!).
What do you think of Attachment Parenting???
I definitely leaned towards attachment parenting with my girls. LOVED my Moby Wrap (my top favorite baby item), they both slept right next to the bed in the bassinet and we held them a lot and rocked them to sleep. My oldest was not a great sleeper and I ended up giving in to all of the people that told me I had to let her cry it out (including her ped.). When we gave it a try, I was crying right along with her and realized it wasn't what was best for US! That's when I learned that it is so important to do what is best for YOUR family and that looks different with each family.
ReplyDeleteI just learn so much, and I don't even have a baby! Love this :)
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