Book Review: Attachment Parenting: Instinctive Care for Your Baby and Young Child.

Book Review: Attachment Parenting: Instinctive Care for Your Baby and Young Child

By Katie Allison Granju, RN, MSN; Simon & Schuster Pocket Books, August 1999

Finally, a well-written, easy to understand book that speaks from the heart concerning infant and child care. So many times as a childbirth educator I encourage my clients to parent from their heart. In this day and age of a manual and book for everything, it can be very overwhelming for new parents--who do they listen to? Everyone seems to have an opinion as to how they should parent their child. Don't spoil the baby. You can't spoil a baby. Let the baby cry. Don't let the baby cry. Even television gets involved, with a recent sitcom showing the parents agonizing in the hallway, hoping their child would cry herself to sleep.

In the very beginning of the book, the author gives a six-step synopsis of what is in store for the reader. This portion alone could be the most practical words of advice any new parent could follow. But the writer goes on with more words of wisdom when discussing how, even before delivery, parents can put into place everything necessary to be effective with attachment parenting. Some of these tips include finding a health care provider for your child who shares your view on parenting, choosing a birth setting that will not separate your infant from you, and writing a birth plan. However, even for parents who deliver under less than ideal conditions or parents who are challenged with an ill or premature baby, Granju gives excellent advice for conquering those obstacles.

She goes on to give practical pointers on breastfeeding, including an extensive list of common breastfeeding myths. Also included is a list of baby items you will and will not need for effective attachment parenting. I was amazed by the number of baby gear items that can be successfully done without--and this from a grandmother whose first grandchild never had a crib!

Right when you think the book couldn't get any better, there is an extensive list of resources for parents, both on-line and by mail or telephone. I plan to contact some of these companies myself.

One area that may be of particular help discusses what to do when you and your partner disagree on parenting style. There are gentle solutions to what might seem like unavoidable and uncomfortable conflict.

Not since William and Matha Sears have I been so happy with a book written about parenting. Although I am sure if I spent enough time I could find something I didn't care for about this book, right now I would be hard pressed to say just what that is. It is about time parenting got back to the basics! Thank you Katie and Betsy (Betsy Kennedy, consulting RN).