I think everythings been said here about following your instincts being the best possible parenting style, that said sometimes it is great to read about ways other people parent, and things to try if things aren't working..

I didin't read heaps of stuff when pregnant, I already work with children and I thought I knew how I would be when I had my own baby. Actually the parent I thought I'd be and the baby I thought I'd have were opposites like Christy found. I was thinking along the lines of baby in the cot from birth, early child care, etc..

I read some ideas about responding quickly to babies cries when pregnant but apart from that I just did what I felt right with.

When Felix was born, it felt so right being close to him, and he was so happy if he was constantly close to me, screamed when alone but would eat and sleep and never cry if he was next to me..so I just took him everywhere, carried him in a sling constantly for the first 3 months, co-slept with him(with one sleep of the night in the bassinette, and later moved the cot next to the bed) immeadiately to his crying etc..I found info on attachment parenting and the style that I had adopted with Felix had a NAME! I didn't decide to be an attached parent, it just happened in responding to the cues that Felix was giving me and how I felt about parenting him.

Next baby what will I do? I will have to wait to meet them to discover what they need? I remember reading what Christy wrote about Matilda not responding to co-sleeping despite her willingness too, next baby would be the same for me?

I also read pinky McKay's books, the thing I love about them is that they enpower you as a parent, not teach you the best thing for your unique unit, trust your own instincts, if something you are following feels wrong, it probably is..never listen to the baby "trainers" who say baby's should do this and they should do that.. Sleep is a huge one, Felix has feed to sleep all his life and now just recently will lay down with me eyes open after his night routine and I can leave him to "self settle" alone...no control crying required. This is despite all those nurses saying never feed your baby to sleep, huh..I say show me someone who has NEVER feed their baby to sleep, breast or bottle!

If you are worried about co-sleeping please read Kelly's article on the main site, SAFE co-sleeping is a must, but sleeping with your child is one of the most wonderful expereinces in the world..dont miss out it through fear..