attachment parenting
noun
: parenting of an infant that is characterized by highly responsive care and frequent close contact so as to aid in the attachment between infant and parent
[Pediatrician Jay] Gordon is a staunch advocate of attachment parenting, a philosophy built around breast-feeding on demand, parents sleeping with their children, and what's known as "baby wearing"—carrying your infant in a sling to promote closeness.—
Mona Gable
Mona GableExamples of attachment parenting in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Many people equate koala parenting with attachment parenting, which was coined by William Sears, MD, in the 1980s, says Stephanie Edenburgh, CEO of Bizzie Mommy.
—Sherri Gordon, Parents, 18 Apr. 2025
In the aughts, a friend of mine tried attachment parenting, an approach centered on enhancing the bond between mother and child with, among other practices, maximum physical proximity.
—Gail Cornwall, The Atlantic, 3 Apr. 2025
As an author and proponent of attachment parenting theory, an ideology that promotes what some critics say is extreme closeness between mothers and children, Bialik was accused by some of espousing anti-feminist and toxic advice in her books.
—Ej Dickson, Rolling Stone, 26 Dec. 2023
These include attachment parenting, which starts from birth; gentle parenting, which responds to tantrums with empathy and free-range parenting, for older kids looking for more independence.
—Marisa Lascala, Good Housekeeping, 28 June 2023
Perhaps a lot like literary and cultural criticism, parenting is equal parts thoroughly interrogated, programmatic intention—sleep training, attachment parenting, hysterical realism—and feel.
—Phillip MacIak, The New Republic, 27 June 2022
The current fad for attachment parenting is a case in point.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 16 June 2013
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Sherri Gordon, Parents, 18 Apr. 2025
In the aughts, a friend of mine tried attachment parenting, an approach centered on enhancing the bond between mother and child with, among other practices, maximum physical proximity.
—Gail Cornwall, The Atlantic, 3 Apr. 2025
As an author and proponent of attachment parenting theory, an ideology that promotes what some critics say is extreme closeness between mothers and children, Bialik was accused by some of espousing anti-feminist and toxic advice in her books.
—Ej Dickson, Rolling Stone, 26 Dec. 2023
These include attachment parenting, which starts from birth; gentle parenting, which responds to tantrums with empathy and free-range parenting, for older kids looking for more independence.
—Marisa Lascala, Good Housekeeping, 28 June 2023
Perhaps a lot like literary and cultural criticism, parenting is equal parts thoroughly interrogated, programmatic intention—sleep training, attachment parenting, hysterical realism—and feel.
—Phillip MacIak, The New Republic, 27 June 2022
The current fad for attachment parenting is a case in point.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 16 June 2013
Cite this Entry
“Attachment parenting.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/attachment%20parenting. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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