| Attachment Parenting and Positive Discipline |
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| Attachment Parenting (AP) and Positive Discipline (PD) go hand in hand. You can have one without the other but PD is not as effective without AP and AP looses it's effectiveness without PD! AP is a way of parenting (or a lifestyle) that nurtures attachment with our children from birth. So much of what is taught to new parents serves to detatch parent and infant. Scheduled feedings, sleeping baby in a cot/bassinete, letting your baby cry itself to sleep, yelling at or physically punishing your child are some of these things. Ideally AP starts with attachment before birth. Praying for your unborn baby, reading scripture, singing hymns/spiritual songs, and talking to your baby brings a connection. I like to pray as our babies are developing in utero. There are some books and websites that tell you exactly what is happening to/with your baby each week - you can even get updates by weekly emails. It's amazing to pray for your baby's ears as they are developing, for his/her heart, lungs etc. It really does form a connection! The next ideal is a gentle birth. Hey, don't worry if this doesn't happen, it's just the IDEAL! I had mostly c-sections! It is beneficial to the bonding process to hold your baby skin to skin as soon after the birth as possible. I have only once had this privilige -- it is so neat! If you can (and most women can with the appropriate support) breastfeed your baby. God has designed mummy milk to be the best for your baby! Breastmilk has all the antibodies your new baby needs as it is exposed to all the new experiences of life outside the womb. To foster and further the attachment that you have began while pregnant, your baby need LOTS of cuddles. Contray to popular opinion, you cannot spoil your baby through too many cuddles. |
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