Attachment Theory The “Seven Baby B’s” of Sear’s Parenting

“Attachment theory says an infant instinctively seeks closeness to a secure “attachment figure.” This closeness is necessary for the infant to feel safe emotionally as well as for food and survival. Early animal studies found that baby primates preferred a warm, terry-cloth “mother” doll over a wire doll that dispensed food but lacked warmth”. (WebMD)

This theory holds the belief that the first 6 months are crucial, and I can not disagree. infants that do not bond with an adult can suffer from failur to thrive and some may even die.

Dr. Sears popularized attachment parenting. He has established  ”7 Baby B’s” or “Attachment Tools” for effective parenting.

Birth bonding. Sears acknowledges that the now-or-never idea of attachment doesn’t hold true. Adopted children, foster kids, and infants in intensive care can all learn to form healthy relationships as adults later in life.

Breastfeeding. Breastfeeding  benefits a mother as well as a baby. Breastfeeding produces increased levels of her “bonding” hormones, prolactin and oxytocin. This helps the mom become attached to the baby as well.

Baby-wearing. Sears focuses on “baby-wearing” to promote attachment, frequent touch, and parents’ sensitivity to an infant’s cues of needs.

Bedding close to baby. While Sears still advises sleeping close to babies, his attachment parenting model more fully acknowledges the need for parents to get a good night’s sleep. I see nothing wrong with having an infant in the same room as Mom and Dad.

Belief in the language-value of your baby’s cry. Sears’  model strongly advises parents to respond to their babies’ cries and not let babies “cry it out.” I never let mine ‘cry it out’, Babies cry for a reason.

Beware of baby trainers. Sears continues to discredit what he calls “convenience” parenting. Convenience parenting, he says, puts a parent’s ease and convenience above an infant’s feeding cues or emotional bonding needs. An example might be parent-scheduled feedings. Again, this is something I believe in, You have to feed the baby when it is hungry, not hwen it is convenient for the parent.

Balance. Sears’ advice on attachment parenting also suggests tha  parents balance parenting as well as their own health and emotional needs.

The seven suggestions are a bit more updated thatn the previous 8 and can work well for the parent and child. Still, there are no set age limits  although this theory does suggest that this model is best from infancy to 3 years. Some parents may take all of this a little too far.

Reference; WedMD