What it is: The phrase was popularized by well-known pediatrician Dr. William Sears in the 1980s when he published what many consider to be the attachment parenting bible, "The Baby Book." The idea behind the child-led attachment parenting approach is all about leaning into what the baby needs when they need it. From birth-bonding and babywearing to co-sleeping and on-demand breastfeeding, attachment parenting prioritizes responsiveness and close physical contact with a goal of fostering a secure emotional connection.
Why parents do it: Proponents of attachment parenting believe this nurturing style is the ideal way to raise secure, empathetic children. Simply put, many new parents themselves enjoy the bond they achieve with their newborn by following the key components of the practice.
What research says: Breastfeeding is one of the tenets of this method and it has been associated with medical, nutritional, and developmental benefits for baby. What's more, a 2019 American Academy of Pediatrics study showed that attachment parenting style may also improve a child's language skills. On the flip side of things, some experts worry that some parents tend to overdo it in trying to meet their child's every request. This can be "exhausting and counterproductive," according to The Greater Good Science Center at the University of California, Berkeley.
