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Attachment parenting resources© 2008 Gwen Dewar, Ph.D., all rights reserved
These attachment parenting resources offer information and moral support to parents committed to sensitive, responsive parenting.
General informationWilliam and Martha Sears (M.D. and R.N.)One of my favorite attachment parenting resources is the book written by William Sears (pediatrician) and Martha Sears (registered nurse and breastfeeding consultant), the couple who coined the term “attachment parenting":Sears W and Sears M. 2001. The Attachment Parenting Book : A Commonsense Guide to Understanding and Nurturing Your Baby. Little, Brown and Company. Aimed primarily at parents with new babies, this book offers the reader wisdom, moral support and reassurance. The authors, who have raised 8 children themselves (!), cover such topics as: • getting to know your newborn • breastfeeding • babywearing • sleeping arrangements • "crying it out" • setting limits and avoiding parenting "burnout" • attachment fathering Although this book (like most parenting books) doesn’t cite scientific references, many of its claims are supported by scientific research. Mothering magazineMothering magazine is one of the few popular parenting publications that provides references with its articles.The Natural Child ProjectThe Natural Child Project website offers a collection of articles and editorials advocating attachment parenting practices. Some articles cite scientific studies. In addition, the Director of the Natural Child Project, Jan Hunt, is a trained counseling psychologist who offers telephone consultations on family issues.Attachment parenting resources for feedingParentingScience articles on feeding
Does your mother-in-law equate feeding on demand with “spoiling the baby?” This article reports the anthropological, evolutionary, and clinical evidence that
human babies should be fed “on cue.”
It may come in handy if you want to bring your relatives up to speed.In addition, breastfeeding mothers will find a variety of helpful tips, links, and
attachment parenting resources in this article.
La Leche LeagueLa Leche League offers information about breastfeeding, including support groups and breastfeeding legislation.Attachment parenting resources for nighttime parenting
James McKenna, Ph.D.Anthropologist and sleep expert, James McKenna, Director of the Mother-Infant Sleep Laboratory at Notre Dame University, provides a wealth of information about safe co-sleeping practices.ParentingScience articles on sleepWhether or not they choose to co-sleep, “attachment” parents are sensitive and responsive to their children’s sleep difficulties. These articles can help you solve sleep problems without resorting "cry it out" methods:• Infant sleep problems • Bedtime problems in children • Night wakings • "No-cry" sleep training Elizabeth PantleyElizabeth Pantley has published two books on child sleep problems:Pantley E. 2002. The no-cry sleep solution: Gentle ways to help your baby sleep through the night. McGraw Hill. Pantley E. 2005. The no-cry sleep solution for toddlers and preschoolers. McGraw Hill. Why do I love these books? For one thing, Pantley is open-minded. She asks parents to consider why they are seeking sleep advice. Do you have a real problem? Or are you just feeling pressured to change your family’s sleep routine because it isn’t sufficiently “mainstream?” For another, Pantley’s friendly, problem-solving narrative is motivational. Even if you’re already familiar with “no-cry” sleep methods, Pantley’s books are still valuable for inspiration. Like a good coach, Pantley helps steer the sleepless parent through the problem-solving process. And, although her books don’t include many scientific references, her tips are consistent with practices proven effective by scientific studies. Attachment Parenting Support GroupsAttachment Parenting InternationalAttachment Parenting International was founded to "educate and support all parents in raising secure, joyful, and empathic children..."The organization hosts an online forum and provides information about local support groups. To date, most of these are in the United States. The United KingdomThe Natural Nurturing Network offers a newsletter and online forum for members to share their experiences with attachment parenting. Members also hold local meetings.Attachment Parenting CanadaAttachment Parenting Canada offers articles and other resources, including contact information about several local support groups.
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