Keeping babies where they need to be

Before independence must come dependence.

In our western society, there seems to be fear around the need of babies and young children to be close to their primary caregivers. Caution against babies becoming "used to that" are hangovers from the Victorian era and have no scientific basis.

One dubious parenting guide in the past recommended against cuddling babies, advising a firm handshake was sufficient! While we have (hopefully) moved beyond that kind of nonsense, its shadow has cast long into our own times.

"Clingy" is a negative description of young children displaying caution in unfamiliar situations. Yet this is a natural, protective response to keep small children close.

Separate sleep is held as some kind of life achievement, with parents constantly quizzed about where and how their baby sleeps. #babywearing is grudgingly acknowledged as a "useful" transport alternative but the suggestion of it comforting a child can be frowned upon. And #breastfeeding can be so confronting for some that they cast vague, sinister predictions about future outcomes.

Enough!

Infants - the first three years - need nurturing. Indeed, so do children at all stages. Independence will come as the deep primal drive for it is strong. You only need to spend a few hours with a child in the "I DO IT!" phase to see that!

Let them be little. Hold them. Embrace their need for emotional and physical touch. Leave the Victorian parenting advice where it belongs: in dusty books in museums.