I practice attachment parenting with my children. This means, simply put, that we show our children affection, and give them all the affection, love, hugs, etc., that they need.

It usually also means breastfeeding (sometimes extended nursing), some version of the family bed, it can mean carrying the infant around in a sling or somehow up against the mother's body, etc.

The exact practices of attachment parenting differ for each family, of course, but the idea behind it is that children require affection, and gain a strong sense of security when their emotional needs are met.

Let a baby cry himself to sleep, when he'd rather be cuddled in his mother's arms may not give him a very strong sense of security, you see.

In most cultures, babies are shown more affection than they are given in the US. Beginning with birth, when the baby is taken from the mother and often put in a nursery, is another way a child might not feel quite so secure in life.

Starting from birth, attachment parenting is a natural approach to childrearing.

Here are some good sites about attachment parenting, or issues similar to attachment parenting, if you're interested in learning more:

From birth:
Gentle, natural birth

Attachment Parenting Links