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By Tammy Frissell-Deppe For many parents-to-be, the baby essentials include bottles, baby swing, playpen, crib, vibrating seat and computerized toys for the
crib to soothe a crying baby to sleep. However, if you are an attachment
parent, interested in attachment parenting or parenting more
"naturally" then your baby essentials list will be much different. Here are a few bare essentials that will be needed in your everyday
attached parenting that you may or may not be thinking about getting or asking
for: Family Bed ~ Bedrail ~ If you
are planning or thinking about having a family bed you need to decide what kind
of set-up you are going to have. If you are going to have your baby sleep
next to you then a bedrail will be needed for the side of your bed. If you
are going to do the side-car arrangement, then you need another bed, crib or
cradle. Babywearing ~Sling ~ Your best bet for wearing
your baby is a sling. There are many different types and styles so you
really need to shop around and find the one you like best. The sling is a
vital part of your parenting so be sure to choose one carefully. Breastfeeding ~ Bra/Pads ~ You also may want to
look into a nursing bra and nursing pads. Be sure not to start looking too
early in your pregnancy since you breast size may increase a great deal. ~Nursing Pillow ~ For many woman this is a
lifesaver. If you sew you can make your own or buy one in any toy or baby
store. Diapering ~ Cloth Diapers ~ Cloth
diapers are not only cheaper, more comfortable for baby, and overall better for
baby, they are also better for the environment. The internet has some
great resources for cloth diapers. You can do a search and come up with
lots of great sites. Look into this option carefully. Many parents
also decide to do a combination of cloth and disposable too. Whatever you
choose make sure it is an informed choice. Books Here are a few great books to
read during your pregnancy to help you prepare for your challenging role! Natural
Birth the Bradley Way by Susan McCutcheon Want to take control of
your labor and delivery? This book will help you do just that.
The Bradley method is a great method to use during your labor/delivery.
The authors cover the labor process extensively while informing and
teaching you about your own body and how to make labor work for you. by William &
Martha Sears This fantastic book
fully informs you of all your birthing choices. William & Martha
go through all the different ways to help you achieve an all natural
birth. The Sears' fully exhaust this topic in their book as well as
discuss ways to handle other birthing options.
by
William & Martha Sears This
is the most comprehensive baby care book on the market today. It
takes you from birth-age2. It has wonderful illustrations and a
great format. A must have for every attachment parent or
parent-to-be. by Gwen Gotsch, et al. This is the most comprehensive book on
breastfeeding. You do not need any other breastfeeding book other
than this one. It covers everything from the first latch on to
complications to weaning. This is a must have for any pregnant
mother by Tammy Frissell-Deppe This powerful book on Attachment
Parenting will help you enhance your child's development,
sensitivity, intelligence and his/her ability to love, trust and
be independent. You will become fulfilled as a parent and more in
tune to your child, creating the closest relationship and bond
possible. This book will help you understand the different aspects
of attachment parenting and share some touching moments and
experiences from the lives of many attachment parenting families. by Tine Thevenin Once you read this book, you
will realize the family bed is the only way to sleep! This is
a great book that goes deeply into the topic of co-sleeping. If
you already practice the family bed, you will get a lot of
reassurance and support for your great sleeping situation. You will
need a car seat and baby clothes in addition to the items I listed, but after that it is all just
*fluff*. The items contained in this article are to give you a few ideas
of what you need to research buying before you have your baby. You will surely receive
a lot of "mechanical parenting tools" for gifts but if you are like
most attachment parents, they will either go unused or used very little.
So be sure to be specific in what you want for your baby shower and get more of what you really need! Happy nurturing! Reprinted with permission from the Attached! Newsletter, Spring 2000 Issue no. 4 Tammy Frissell-Deppe is a fifth generation attachment parent and has two children with her husband William. She has recently published a book entitled, Every Parent's Guide to Attachment Parenting. Tammy is a Medical Information Specialist as well as an attachment parenting expert and she tours the country speaking and educating parents and parents-to-be on the different aspects and benefits of attachment parenting. Tammy's articles have appeared in many different newsletters and journals and she continues to help and support hundreds of attachment parents weekly.
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