AP/natural parenting moms, do you...

[discoclare]

Well I'm not sure I would consider myself a completely AP parent! But I flit between here and the NP forum. In a way I feel like I belong neither here or there. I don't belong there because:

-I vaccinate my DD
-she goes to nursery
-we never co-slept
-we did traditional weaning (kind of!)


But I go in there and don't really belong here because:
- I use cloth
- I part time babywear alongside pram use
- No CIO/CC (though that's true of many people on this forum across the boards)

I know most posts are about cloth. I think it's just because there are so many kinds of cloth and there's a lot more to discuss on that. But you do get lots of posts now about slings, non-vaxxing etc. I think the ladies there are nice and helpful and friendly so I do like it, plus I can talk about nappies which I can't do much in real life as most of my friends IRL use sposies and think I'm crazy. But I have to agree that it can be quiet so I come back to BC sometimes where it's busier and the threads are a bit more diverse. It would be lovely if all the AP-type parents on here used NP and then it wouldn't be so cloth focused and would be busier.

 

[purplepower]

2. i know as an AP parent, I can't even imagine putting her into nursery (not saying that other ap parents can, but she's never been away from me)… is there an age that you think is better than another age. i know eventually i have to go back to work, maybe

thanks!

I have to go back to work when my little one is 1 so he will have to go to nursery or childminder 3 days a week then.

 

[purplepower]

Hmmm see I am not really one for labels and pigeon-holing. I think like some of the concepts of AP but not all of them, I think I am the same in most things in life. I take on board the things that I like and feel comfortable doing and set aside those that I don't.

 

[aliss]

I think there's a big difference between AP and natural parenting in some respects. Was AP not a term coined by Dr. Sears? He is certainly 100% for vaccinations, so non-vaxing is a subgroup of many natural parenting ... parents (lol redundant word) but it's not a part of AP,although perhaps it is. It's not about labels. Dr Sears AP also uses TW and not BLW,which was promoted by Gil Rapely and is popular in the UK apparently but pretty much unknown in the US.

Of course, you can still be AP and not BF, not cosleep, not wear your baby. AP is more a philosophy that promotes being attached to your child emotionally rather than withdrawn, which Sears believes some "modern" parenting practices do (ie. AP).

Some more info
https://www.askdrsears.com/topics/attachment-parenting/what-ap-7-baby-bs
MORE ABOUT ATTACHMENT PARENTING

AP is a starter style. There may be medical or family circumstances why you are unable to practice all of these baby B's. Attachment parenting implies first opening your mind and heart to the individual needs of your baby, and eventually you will develop the wisdom on how to make on-the-spot decisions on what works best for both you and your baby. Do the best you can with the resources you have – that's all your child will ever expect of you. These baby B's help parents and baby get off to the right start. Use these as starter tips to work out your own parenting style – one that fits the individual needs of your child and your family. Attachment parenting helps you develop your own personal parenting style.
AP is an approach, rather than a strict set of rules. It's actually the style that many parents use instinctively. Parenting is too individual and baby too complex for there to be only one way. The important point is to get connected to your baby, and the baby B's of attachment parenting help. Once connected, stick with what is working and modify what is not. You will ultimately develop your own parenting style that helps parent and baby find a way to fit – the little word that so economically describes the relationship between parent and baby.

AP is responsive parenting. By becoming sensitive to the cues of your infant, you learn to read your baby's level of need. Because baby trusts that his needs will be met and his language listened to, the infant trusts in his ability to give cues. As a result, baby becomes a better cue-giver, parents become better cue-readers, and the whole parent-child communication network becomes easier.

AP is a tool. Tools are things you use to complete a job. The better the tools, the easier and the better you can do the job. Notice we use the term "tools" rather than "steps." With tools you can pick and choose which of those fit your personal parent-child relationship. Steps imply that you have to use all the steps to get the job done. Think of attachment parenting as connecting tools, interactions with your infant that help you and your child get connected. Once connected, the whole parent-child relationship (discipline, healthcare, and plain old having fun with your child) becomes more natural and enjoyable. Consider AP a discipline tool. The better you know your child, the more your child trusts you, and the more effective your discipline will be. You will find it easier to discipline your child and your child will be easier to discipline.

Attachment Parenting

 

[babyjiva]

oh yea vacines, forgot about that topic. we are delaying it and haven't decided yet.

i see how some people take aspects of this or that and don't like labels. i don't really fit into natural parenting but very much into AP so I wish more of us were in natural parenting as i think it's the closest match.

i understand for those who mix parenting styles, i really do. But others are strongly all the way AP and it's nice to have that label so we can connect.

 

[babyjiva]

also this is an awesome AP site
https://www.attachmentparenting.org/parentingtopics/babysleepstrategies.php

 

[bky]

See I originally liked the NP forum because it seemed like it would be acceptable for me to cloth nappy/baby wear AND vaccinate. It's amazing how many other places if you don't do it 'all' no one will help you with the things you do do. Or rate you on how much you do

I put mine in Nursery at 4 months. The nursery workers at mine say they like to see them earlier because it's easier on the babies-once they hit 6 months and realize who mum and dad are and they can go away they've (babies) already learned the nursery ladies and nursery in general is ok too so separation anxiety isn't so tough. I'm glad I did because I like work (part time) and LO is getting great benefits from being at nursery. Almost makes up for being sick all the time. It was a good choice for us because I've no friends, no family, the people I do know don't have small children, and all the mum and baby groups I looked into fizzled so if it wasn't for nursery I would have very limited options for engaging my LO's social development.

 

[louandivy]

Not very often, very occassionally I post about babywearing and co-sleeping. Most of the threads seem to be about cloth nappies and I'm too lazy to use them!

 

[littlestar85]

I'm an AP Mummy and NP in quite a few things, but have never really clicked with the NP forum. I guess it does seem to be mostly about cloth. Would love to see a little group of AP Mummies form though! x

 

[mummy3]

I dont really fit in anywhere. I breastfeed but dont hang around too much in the section because I'm on my 4th baby and have fed 3 kids until they self weaned so not too much I dont know there I dont use cloth, well I did with #1, the old fashioned terrys with a pin, think they put me off

I do babywear a fair bit but I often use the stroller as Its geared up for 3 kids, I have 3 that are 3 and under and cant wear all of em

Cant really cosleep as I have epilepsy but hubby usually ends up with LO on his chest of a night.

I'm very fortunate in that I can be a SAHM for as long as I want, hubby is more than happy to support that so I dont have to put my kids in a nursery, although my son now goes to preschool twice a week

We vaccinate.

Anyone else kinda like this?

 

[Lilly12]

I don't post there cause it's all about cloth and we use disposable diapers.

We do cosleep fulltime, BF, BLW when the time comes, I wear her although it's so hot here all the time I use the stroller more often for outside.. can't wait till it cools off and I can wear her everyday! I have a ring sling & Freehand Mei Tai.
We don't vaccinate, n we're thinking of homeschooling when the time comes.
I'm also a SAHM.
Love this thread!

 

[red balloon]

Me too! We do AP stuff, though co sleeping doesn't work for us. Family and friends think I'm bonkers and too soft. I know I'm doing the best for my baby. Wondering about putting lo in her own room to sleep, though. Lo is 6 months. Any AP parents who have done this? I'd. Love to hear about your experiences. Love this thread x

 

[Lilly12]

No advice but I too get comments about my/our parenting style .
We dont let her cry it out (duh she's 8 weeks!) and people say stuff like "oh it's good for her lungs" And I get told that's it's good for her of I don't pick her up n let her cry .
Also about cosleeping people tell me I spoil her that way and I even got a comment about breastfeeding, that I'll never get her off the boob or whatever.
People And their rediculous opinions ... Sigh...

 

[cissyhope]

yes i often use Np,i think its good but im only just starting out with cloth nappies.I find interesting.

 

[purplepower]

I dont really fit in anywhere. I breastfeed but dont hang around too much in the section because I'm on my 4th baby and have fed 3 kids until they self weaned so not too much I dont know there I dont use cloth, well I did with #1, the old fashioned terrys with a pin, think they put me off

I do babywear a fair bit but I often use the stroller as Its geared up for 3 kids, I have 3 that are 3 and under and cant wear all of em

Cant really cosleep as I have epilepsy but hubby usually ends up with LO on his chest of a night.

I'm very fortunate in that I can be a SAHM for as long as I want, hubby is more than happy to support that so I dont have to put my kids in a nursery, although my son now goes to preschool twice a week

We vaccinate.

Anyone else kinda like this?

Sounds similar to me.