TORONTO -Breastfeeding and co-sleeping are some of the aspects of attachment parenting experts are encouraging parents to practise if they want to bring out the best in their children. All cultures practise some sort of attached parenting with some slight variations says Judy Arnall, a parenting educator and president of Attachment Parenting Canada Association based in Calgary.
“In North America people are embarrassed of breastfeeding in public. They find it inappropriate and gross because here the breast is seen as a sexual part of the body and its first priority is for sexual enjoyment rather than feeding babies,” said Arnall. “In other cultures in the Middle East it is not. I have heard women wear the veil or a head to cover up their head because it is more sexual rather than covering up breastfeeding the baby.”
There is a consensus from child experts that even though breastfeeding habits may vary around the world, the child’s best interests should come first.
“Breastfeeding is something mums should be doing wherever they are. People need to know that it is just children eating, that is all,” said Kathy Lynn, a leading speaker on parenting issues for over 30 years and a Certified Canadian Family Educator.
“I do think in any culture where we don’t understand that the female breast is for feeding children and that is its primary role then that’s where the problem comes in, confusing sexuality with functionality,” said Lynn.
Co-sleeping is also another aspect of attached parenting that varies depending on cultures.
“In North America, we are told in terms of attached parenting not to sleep with our children if they are less than one year old. Co-sleeping in North America involves both parents but in other countries in Africa and Asia it is only the mum who co-sleeps with the baby,” said Arnall.
The cover of the latest edition of Time Magazine with an image of a mother breastfeeding her three-year-old son has sparked a heated debate about attachment parenting with some questioning whether this went too far.
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