The Cradle
Baby Names   |   Weekly Pregnancy Calendar   |   Expert Pregnancy Advice   |   giggle
Sign In    Join  |  Home  |  About Us  |  Link to Us   
 

W

ee

k

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

20

22

24

26

28

30

32

34

36

38

40
MY CRADLE   |   MESSAGE BOARDS   |   MY WEB PAGE   |   GROUPS

 

I'm pregnant and want...
facts & expert information
to track my baby's growth
a refresher course
to connect with others
to create a web page to share
to explore products
to plan the nursery
style & celebrtiy updates
eco-friendly tips & advice
 
i'm trying to conceive
i'm a new mom
i'm an expectant or new dad
i'm a friend or family member
 
 
 

Looking for a Parenting Manual?

An Overview of Child Rearing Theories
by The Cradle Staff

s a parent, you will no doubt make hundreds — probably thousands — of important decisions.

But before you get to the question of where your child should attend school, you'll probably make a few early decisions that will shape your parenting style. Co-sleeping or sleep training? Strollers or slings? Breastfeeding or formula?

When it comes to child rearing, how you raise your little one is a personal decision every parent must make. While many parents don’t follow any particular method, there are a few popular philosophies that have been helpful to a great many new moms and dads.

ATTACHMENT PARENTING
RIE (RESOURCES FOR INFANT EDUCARERS)
NATURAL/ALTERNATIVE PARENTING

ATTACHMENT PARENTING
This philosophy, started by famed pediatrician Dr. William Sears, encourages moms and dads to nurture and create strong emotional bonds by being “responsive” or “instinctive” parents. Starting right at birth, attachment parenting encourages the “7 Baby B’s”:

  • Birth Bonding
    Start holding, loving and snuggling right from the beginning – stay close!
  • Breastfeeding
    To help read your baby’s cues and to promote the “right chemistry” between mother and baby – bring on the breast milk.
  • Baby Wearing
    Because “closeness promotes familiarity” – break out the sling and wear that baby for hours a day.
  • Bedding Close to Baby
    To keep you connected to your infant at night – either in the same bed or within close touching distance.
  • Belief in the Language Value of Your Baby’s Cry
    Helps build trust when parents respond sensitively to their baby’s cry – hey, they’re just trying to communicate.
  • Beware of Baby Trainers
    Let yourself be the expert in your baby – steer clear of rigid styles and schedules.
  • Balance
    Keep in mind the needs of yourself and your partnership – give baby lots of attention, but try not to neglect you and/or your sweetie.

In a nutshell: If you dig the idea of breastfeeding, wearing your baby all day, and sleeping with them at night, then attach away! You may want to hold off on investing in that crib, stroller, and bouncy chair, too.

  Next Page: RIE, Natural Parenting     Pages: 1, 2   Next »
 

 

 

Discuss this topic on The Cradle Message Boards