Revisiting Attachment Parenting In Part Five of my Infant Sleep Series, I revisit Dr. Sears’ bed-sharing and attachment parenting books as I am today, the mother of a 17-year-old son and a trained and experienced Licensed Professional Counselor. I first read about Dr. Sears' philosophies as a new mother learning how to breast-feed and learning how to parent, so long ago. I approach Dr. Sears’ work with mixed feelings. I deeply respect his cultural contribution to restoring e

In this fourth article in the Infant Sleep in Context series, we turn to Dr. Harvey Karp’s influential framework presented in The Happiest Baby on the Block . Reframing Newborn Sleep: The Fourth Trimester Karp shifts the conversation about infant sleep by asking parents to reconsider the nature of newborns themselves. His central premise is that the first three months of life function as a “Fourth Trimester” — a period of continued neurological maturation outside the womb. H

Protecting sleep while maintaining connection. In this third article in the Infant Sleep in Context series, I examine Dr. Marc Weissbluth’s book Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child . Dr. Weissbluth is a pediatrician and founder of a pediatric sleep disorders center. His work emphasizes the biological foundations of sleep and the significant physical and emotional consequences of chronic sleep deprivation. Two Central Themes in Dr. Weissbluth’s work Two central themes stand out

“If mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.” “If you let her cry, she will grow up insecure.” “If you always pick her up, you will spoil her.” “You must feed on demand around the clock.” “Breastfeeding causes postpartum depression.” “Bottle-feeding causes separation and depression.” “If the baby sleeps alone, she will feel abandoned.” “Letting a baby cry is fine — even if she vomits.” Do these sound contradictory? They are. Why Parents Feel So Confused About Infant Sleep Many m

You're a new parent. Your baby does not seem to have the same sleep needs as you do. You were accustomed to a life that responded to effort. You worked hard. You stayed up late when needed. You nurtured a career, and when you took certain steps, the path expanded accordingly. Then a baby arrives. And suddenly the world no longer responds to planning and productivity. Your infant doesn't organize around your schedule. Sleep comes in fragments. Emotions feel amplified. You may