Attachment Parenting

By now most of us are familiar with Time magazine's cover of a mom breastfeeding her toddler.  Many of you want to know my views on this.  Thank you for asking.  I remember bringing my babies home from the hospital to a tiny home on Long Island in N.Y.  I had the cradle set up right next to my side of the bed.  I breastfed my baby as long as I wanted to (which looking back was not long enough for me.)  My husband and I decided I would be a stay at home mom as long as I wanted to, and as long as it was financially possible. Although my babies slept in a crib right next to my bed, they never, ever slept in the same bed. ( I feel very strong about not letting your babies sleep in the same bed and so does the American Academy of Pediatrics.)  This worked for my family.  I never realized that my parenting style was  "attachment parenting".  I did what came natural to me and what I thought was the right thing.  Yes...I did have pressure from working moms, and I did feel like I should be doing more to financially help out.  I especially worried about not being able to get back in the work force when the time came.  When I thought the time was right, I WAS able to get back out there. On the flip side, many working moms feel very stressed when they leave to go to work. This was 30 something years ago.  Things are different now but some things are the same.  If you are a stay at home mom or a career mom, breast feed or bottle feed, stay with your baby 24-7 or need a break on a regular basis... it is OK.  Love your babies, love your partners, and feel good about yourselves.  This is a magical (yet exhausting) time in your life.  If you are doubtful about what you doing or just want to clear some things up, contact me.  I can help make your life easier.