Having your kid physically attached to

you probably doesn't sound like fun, but an

American pediatrician, William
Sears, promotes a style of parenting that
keeps small children as physically
attached as possible. This is
called attachment parenting.
The idea behind attachment parenting is
that if a small baby feels protected and
safe by physical contact with their
parent, especially their mother, that child will
grow up to be a more independent
adult. One way parents are encouraged to
be close to their babies is by using a sling or
a wrap to carry the baby around instead
of putting the baby in a carriage. This is
often called "wearing" your baby. Parents
are also encouraged to sleep with their
babies. Parents are too big to fit in a crib, so
instead parents are told to bring the
baby into the adult bed. This is supposed to
teach the baby about sleep regulation as
well since the baby will learn to mimic adult
sleep patterns. This co-sleeping is
controversial though. There are
concerns that babies sleeping with
adults could suffocate, accidentally get
crushed, or fall off the bed. There is also
concern about sudden infant death
syndrome, or SIDS, where babies just
suddenly stop breathing.
Another marker of attachment
parenting is not worrying about spoiling a
baby. Many times parents feel that paying
attention to a baby's every cry makes them
too needy or spoiled. Attachment
parenting feels that every baby's cry should
be responded to and that the baby should
never be left to "cry it out." Instead, the baby
should be comforted and crying should be
taken as a signal that the baby needs
something. Most attachment parents also
breastfeed on demand, feeling that not only
is this physically healthier, but also
promotes a bond between mother and child.