Contiuum/attatchment parenting anyone?

[Honeywitch]

Hi
I'm 8 weeks pregnant and am very attracted to the idea of continuum/attachment parenting (ie, baby wearing, co-sleeping, etc.) Has anyone actually done this?

What was your experience, and can you mix and match some of the principles with other methods for convenience's sake (eg, I doubt their grandma would be happy to wear a sling, and would just want to hold the baby - in fact, I think I wouldn't get a lot of support with the sling thing - that would just b me - but surely this is fine?)

Read "Attachment Parenting" by Sears. I attend La Leche League meetings and they are very big on the whole attachment parenting concepts - extended breastfeeding on demand, co sleeping etc so it might be worth getting in touch with your local branch to meet up with some like -minded people.

I have followed some of the AP ideas - i.e co sleeping, bf on demand and I use slings sometimes but also have a pram. I'm not fanatical about it and do some things that some of my LLL co attendees would disapprove of - i.e give the occasional bottle, started weaning at 5.25 months rather than 6 etc etc. As with all parenting concepts, I like being able to pick and choose the things that suit me and ignore what doesn't.

I read CC while pregnant and loved it. That's not to say that I implemented all the ideas to the letter - what is practical for our family and culture isn't the same as what is right for the Yequana.

We baby wore a lot but not all the time - I am 5 foot tall and it just wasn't practical or comfortable all the time! Besides which, ds liked to lie on the floor and kick his legs on occasion. We co slept until age 2 and I am still breastfeeding at sge 2.7. Haven't read anything by the Sears although have dipped into my friend's book on occasion.

Most of my friends co-slept for different periods of time, you'll probably find it's a lot more common than you think. I was fortunate enough to have a midwife who was pro attachment parenting but if you get one that isn't just smile sweetly at their advice and then go with your instincts anyway!

Oh and lots of people use slings - you see them everywhere these days and there's so much choice out there so they obviously sell!

My Mum never bothered learning how to use one - she liked to cuddle baby ds and that was just fine