My wife and I practice a style of parenting called “attachment parenting.” It's not always easy, but I have to say that I'm convinced of its merits so far. Attachment parenting experts say that parenting this way will produce a much closer relationship with your child and will help your child become a caring and empathetic person, and that's exactly what I've seen so far with our older daughter.

So, what is attachment parenting? It's basically the exact opposite of how you may have been taught to parent, because it was created in reaction to the styles of parenting that used to be the norm. Attachment parenting includes breastfeeding rather than formula whenever possible, keeping the baby close to you the far majority of the time rather than putting the baby down to “cry it out,” responding immediately when the baby cries and not trying to put the baby on any kind of schedule.

It also includes co-sleeping, which is more controversial because of its supposed links to higher SIDS risks, but you can make your own assessment of that and avoid co-sleeping if you don't think it's safe. The other aspects of attachment parenting will still be effective. (We use a “snuggle nest” and a crib depending on the situation.)

We have found that not everyone understands this type of parenting. “If you don't let the baby cry it out, she'll learn that you'll always come when she cries” is a common criticism. At this stage in an infant's life, that's exactly what she should be learning. Babies are not yet aware of their parents as separate beings with thoughts and needs of their own, so the baby can't possibly be trying to manipulate us- she doesn't realize we can be manipulated, she just has needs and depends on us to meet those needs. By teaching her that she can indeed depend on us to meet those needs, we hope to give her a solid foundation of emotional stability that will serve her well for the rest of her life.