[tigger44]

What attachment parenting tools have you used, or wish you had used, or you think would be a good idea to use with your adoptive child(ren)? For example; baby sling, any specific toys, games, music, anything that is not usually considered in traditional parenting.

My personal favorite is the baby sling. I never realized how much I'd use it, and how beneficial it is, especially when we are out in public. Sometimes I get unusual glances, because in the area where I live parents do not carry their toddlers in a baby sling. But, I keep my head high, my baby is close to me, and we're both happy as can be.

[hollybrian]

I don't have my baby yet, but have practiced attachment parenting with 3 bios and I have to admit that probably and unfortunately, in most parts of the country, carrying your baby in a sling is an odd thing to most people. Parents seems very content to lug their babies around in a plastic car seat. I feel the babies are missing so much stimulation and bonding. I will vote that keeping your child close to you, where you can engage in eye contact and plenty of verbal stimulation is an excellent way to attach to your child. I have just bought a new style of carrier and it seems like a great improvement. I can't wait to try it on a real baby!

[Kasey]

baby bjorn, infant massage, kangaroo care (for feedings), co-sleeping with naps in the beginning and then if he needed us or the extra closeness at night. Constantly talking to him, face to face, playing down on the floor with him, cuddling under blanket like a tent.

[britfish]

I still use my Maya wrap style sling. I love it, I have even had people approach me and ask me where I got it. DH used it while in Russia (although don't tell the other guys!!!...
I also love swaddling, even at 19 mos. I still swaddle Grace. She also loves taking showers with me and one of her favorite words is shower!!
We were also given an exercise ball through EI and I can kneel down and bounce her on it and we sing a song and it is perfect height for eye contact.

[LilyMoon]

My dd was 4 at adoption. These are some of the attachment parenting activities we did:

Put her on one bottle of milk before bed
Rocking
Co-sleeping
Bathing together
Played "baby" games like peekaboo, pattycake, fingerplays, etc.
Danced and sang together
Painted each other's faces with lotion
Fed each other
Lots of cuddles and kisses
Pretend play with dolls and stuffed animals with roll playing Mommy and Daddy roles
Few outings and visitors for the first few months
Keeping her very close at all times, holding hands when out
Basically had her glued to me most of the time

I found the hard work really paid off. My dd is doing so wonderfully in all areas...school, attachment, friends, etc.

LilyMoon

[erickk]

Maya sling (is great)

Going back to bottle-feeding for awhile to help eye contact

Forward facing stroller (if you use one)--so your child is facing toward you, not away

Lots of reading with them in your lap or facing you. I still remember the first time I heard Eli "reading" The Very Hungry Catepillar

Shaving cream is fun too for finger painting :-) in the bathtub

We had some books that you sing (Baby Beluga is the first that comes to mind--and the good old nursery rhymes that have the hand movements-Wheels on the Bus was our favorite)

We painted stars on the walls and used to count the stars in the corner we were in before bedtime

Big comfy floor quilt

Lots of I chase you, you chase me games--really any games you can play together.

[GCS]

For our 5 month old (now 20 mths)
*Baby Bjorn - she outgrew it really quickly though!
*Bottle time
*Rocking time
*eye contact games like patty cake, eyes, nose mouth and peek a boo
*being the sole nuturer for the first 3 months and slowly letting others in after that time.

For our 3 year old (now 4)
*Holding Time - rocking and encouraging eye contact through silly faces or talk or just cuddle time.
*eye contact games like above
*physical contact games like tag and kiss, tickle monster
*reading
*singing songs - this was key for us. He loved music and it was a great way to learn the language. He watched me intently to see my expressions and body language and would imitate me.
*being sole nuturer for the first 3 months and slowly letting others in after that time.


Christina

[angelkisses0102]

The original Hip Hammock (not the Playtex buyout version)...just got a 'new' one on ebay...Alex is so happy!