Attaching to your baby through keeping them close with baby slings, co-sleeping, breastfeeding, responding to cries and other needs, living mindfully and respecting our baby’s cues creates a situation where your baby will feel loved, nurtured and safe. These acts are vital in the beginning of a child’s life as they begin gain a foundation for a sense of safety and love in the world and therefore fell secure and well cared for. There are many folks who say to let your baby cry until they fall asleep or put them in a separate room from you…please don’t! Listen to your mothering instincts and do the research…babies can not self-sooth, they give up and feel defeated and this is not the same thing as self soothing.


According to Attachment Parenting International (API)…there are
8 principles of Attachment Parenting:

  1. Prepare for Pregnancy, Birth, and Parenting - When you decide you want to have a baby, do the research on healthy eating, yoga, exercise, birthing options, doula support, developmental needs of babies. Be prepared, and stay updated.
  2. Feed with Love and Respect - Breastfeeding is the perfect food for your baby. This is well researched and well documented. If you are struggling with breastfeeding, consult La Leche League or get support from a lactation expert. Follow your babies cues of when to feed and how much. When your baby is ready for solids offer fresh, healthy organic choices and be mindful of the whole foods you offer your baby. This sets up an eating pattern that will last a lifetime.
  3. Respond with Sensitivity - Your baby needs a calming environment to thrive, so maintain peace and love in your home and respond to their needs, whether they are happy or sad or scared. They cannot be expected to self-sooth and need your loving parental guidance.
  4. Use Nurturing Touch - Try using massage with your baby and wear them in a sling whenever you can as this closeness helps them feel safe and secure. 
  5. Ensure Safe Sleep, Physically and Emotionally - Babies and children have needs at night just as they do during the day; from hunger, loneliness, and fear, to feeling too hot or too cold. They rely on parents to soothe them and help them regulate their intense emotions. Sleep training techniques can have detrimental physiological and psychological effects. Safe co-sleeping has benefits to both babies and parents. (API website)
  6. Provide Consistent and Loving Care - Babies and kids need consistency and routine and need to know what to expect from the adults around them. Be consistent and flexible and always let them know you are there for them.
  7. Practice Positive Discipline - This involves maintain respect for child as an individual who has opinions and yet needs your loving guidance. Be respectful and flexible and always maintain the dignity of your child. Do not shame or hit your child and maintain your calm as the adult in the home. Remember that you are the role model and they learn from you.
  8. Strive for Balance in Personal and Family Life - Keep yourself healthy, well fed, in balance with your personal happiness so you might be the best parent you can be. Be a part of a parenting network / support group that also respects your parenting choices so that you might have extra support when you feel depleted.