How to Become an Attachment-Style Parent

Your new baby means the world to you, so bring your baby into your world. Attachment-style parenting means never saying goodbye to your newborn, your baby, your toddling tot and even your preschooler, as you strap him onto your body, giving him your language, your continual presence and every single ounce of your energy.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Biceps of steel
• Baby sling

1. Embrace being part of a unit--you and baby; forsake personal space, privacy, going to the bathroom, bathing alone, fashionable attire and vanity in the name of parenthood.
2. Constantly hold your baby, but get the gear; being with your baby 24/7 means buying a baby sling. Don’t be tempted by the first one you find (to save your aching arms), nor embrace buying several as you discover new features, a better fit or less offensive fabric patterns.
3. Prepare the family bed. Co-sleeping makes bedtime a breeze, but bed safety is first priority: no pillows, comforters, pillow top mattress covers, water beds, pets in the bed, drinking, drugging or sleep aids. Hard bolster pillows at the edge can prevent rolling, and a futon on the floor can prevent a fall, smothering and deep sleep for parents.
4. Learn to do everything one-handed. Even if you carry your child in a sling, often you’ll need one hand to protect a small head while handling objects, negotiating stairways or vacuuming. After practice, you’ll amaze others with your single-handed skill.
5. Nurse boldly if you are nursing a baby. Nurse in the tool section of the mall, on the bus, anywhere you are when your child gets hungry. Attachment-parenting is bringing the kid along for the ride, and you're the walking refrigerator.
6. Give yourself a break. Even the best parents need alone time and individuality. As your child grows, increase independent play and floor time; save carrying your child for moments of stress, public events or when it is more convenient for you.
7. Deflect doubting—non-attachment parents will always have something to say about the 30-pound preschooler on your back, the toddler in your arms or the baby bound to your chest. Become a non-stick surface for critique; judge your practices by the happiness and security of your children, not by the traditional standards of mainstream America.

Tips & Warnings

• Slings are easy to sew or can be purchased used. Hook into your local parenting network for used gear, sling patterns or clothing exchanges.
• Those biceps! Those abs! Who knew parenting could be such a work-out? Attachment-style parenting has the advantage of being a weight-bearing exercise, keeping osteoporosis at bay.
• Co-sleeping means alert sleeping; be aware of where your baby is at all times. There are products available to keep your baby safe in or beside the bed, giving you a worry-free rest.
• Co-sleeping and sex seldom go hand in hand--that’s where the guest room, living room couch or minivan on date night come in.
• Hail sling-wearing mamas or papas in the street for advice on baby-wearing or sling positioning; chances are they’ll love to gab about attachment-parenting.
• Do not attempt to pick up a watermelon or pumpkin one-handed, as it may roll into your sling-bound baby. Trust me on this.
• There are valid concerns about the safety of co-sleeping; research the pros and cons, and the best ways to go about it before diving into the family bed.
• When having a doubting day about attachment-style parenthood, head off to a cut-price department store near a military base. Observe the screaming children packed in grocery carts; look with compassion on the overworked, underpaid moms and dads trying to stretch a budget and keep the kids in line; consider calling C.P.S. on the mother slapping her kid in aisle 3. Go home grateful for your lot in life and content with carrying a happy child on your aching back.