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
That said, one parenting style that is gaining a lot of traction recently is attachment parenting.
—Sherri Gordon, Parents, 13 Aug. 2024
For babies, attachment parenting helps to develop a sense of security and trust, says Weill.
—Sherri Gordon, Parents, 13 Aug. 2024
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
The current fad for attachment parenting is a case in point.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 16 June 2013
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
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
That said, one parenting style that is gaining a lot of traction recently is attachment parenting.
—Sherri Gordon, Parents, 13 Aug. 2024
For babies, attachment parenting helps to develop a sense of security and trust, says Weill.
—Sherri Gordon, Parents, 13 Aug. 2024
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
The current fad for attachment parenting is a case in point.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 16 June 2013
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
Cite this Entry
“Attachment parenting.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/attachment%20parenting. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share