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

Examples of attachment parenting in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web 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 Whether to have an epidural or natural birth, cloth or disposable diapers, breast or bottle, free-range or attachment parenting. TheWeek, 25 Oct. 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'attachment parenting.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1985, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of attachment parenting was in 1985

Dictionary Entries Near attachment parenting

Cite this Entry

“Attachment parenting.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/attachment%20parenting. Accessed 28 Apr. 2024.

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