Attachment Parenting International

What Attachment Parenting International does

Attachment Parenting International, operating under the trade name Nurturings, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1994 by Barbara Nicholson and Lysa Parker and headquartered in Bristol, Tennessee. The organization educates and supports parents and primary caregivers in raising secure, empathic children through a research-based framework called the Eight Principles of Parenting, which addresses preparation for pregnancy/birth, feeding with love and respect, sensitive responsiveness, nurturing touch, safe sleep, consistent care, positive discipline, and personal balance. Its core service portfolio includes the 'Attached at the Heart' book (now available in Spanish as 'Criar con el Corazón'), the AHPP professional training program for parenting educators, a global network of 105+ volunteer-led parent support groups across 12 countries, the API Warmline phone support service, the Attached Family Magazine, the Journal of Attachment Parenting, and digital content properties including the APtly Said and Normalize Nurturing blogs.

The organization operates as a content and community platform built on a modest technology stack of standard SaaS tools — Constant Contact for email and training registration, Qgiv and Stripe/PayPal/WePay for donations, Notion for internal collaboration, Google Analytics for web intelligence, and Bloomerang/Frontstream for donor management. There is no proprietary software product, mobile app, or AI/ML component; the platform is fundamentally a content publishing and community-orchestration operation rather than a technology company. Distribution occurs through the organization's websites (attachmentparenting.org, normalizenurturing.org, aptlysaid.org), social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter/X), live teleseminars/webinars, the Amazon book channel, and in-person community groups.

The business model combines three revenue streams: individual and organizational donations (the primary funding mechanism for a 501(c)(3)), AHPP professional training registration fees, and book sales and licensing (including translations). The customer base is highly distributed across two horizontal segments: (1) expectant parents and parents of children from birth through teens seeking guidance on attachment-based parenting, and (2) parenting professionals, counselors, and educators seeking AHPP certification. The organization reports 170,000+ supporters and social media followers globally, with 51-100 employees and a heavy reliance on thousands of unpaid volunteers.

Name

Attachment Parenting International

Legal name

Nurturings

Website

https://attachmentparenting.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Attachment Parenting International (dba Nurturings) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1994 that educates parents and primary caregivers in raising secure, empathic children through its research-based Eight Principles of Parenting framework, AHPP professional training, published books, and a global network of volunteer-led support groups.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Parenting Education and Family Support Services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Family & Parenting Support Services (BPAGAEAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Family Coaching, Parent-Mediated & Home Visiting EI Services (EDACAFAJ)

Keywords

• Parenting education
• Attachment parenting resources
• Professional parent training
• Family support services
• Parenting community programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Bristol

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Nurturings relies on donations from individuals and organizations to fund operations and parent education programs.
2. Professional Training Fees: Revenue generated from professional training programs including the Attached at the Heart (AHPP) training for parenting educators, with registration through Constant Contact.
3. Book Sales and Licensing: Sales and licensing of 'Attached at the Heart' book and related publications, including translations such as 'Criar con el Corazón' (Spanish).

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Attachment Parenting International (operating as Nurturings) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers research-based parenting education built around its Eight Principles of Parenting framework. Its core offerings include the AHPP (Attached at the Heart Parenting) professional training program, a global network of volunteer-led parent support groups, the 'Attached at the Heart' book and publications, and digital content (blogs, magazine, journal) supporting parents and caregivers in raising secure, empathic children.

Product overview

Nurturings (formerly Attachment Parenting International) is a nonprofit organization offering a comprehensive ecosystem of parenting education and support resources built around the research-based Eight Principles of Parenting. The portfolio includes the flagship Nurturings publication and magazine, professional training programs (Attached at the Heart/AHPP), a global network of 105+ volunteer parent support groups across 12 countries, the API Warmline for phone support, the AP Professional Directory connecting families with trained professionals, and digital content through the APtly Said and Normalize Nurturing blogs. The organization also publishes the Journal of Attachment Parenting and the book 'Attached at the Heart' by co-founders Barbara Nicholson and Lysa Parker, available in multiple languages.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Attached at the Heart: A parenting book and brand co-authored by Barbara Nicholson and Lysa Parker, also used for professional training curricula.

Products and services

• AHPP Professional Training (Attached at the Heart Parenting) Credentialed training program for parenting educators, counselors, healthcare professionals, and childcare providers that certifies participants in the Attached at the Heart Parenting (AHPP) methodology. Registration is conducted online via Constant Contact. 397 independent professionals across 10 countries have been trained through this program.
• Attached at the Heart (Book) Parenting book authored by co-founders Barbara Nicholson and Lysa Parker, providing guidance on attachment parenting principles. Available in multiple languages including Spanish ('Criar con el Corazón'). Distributed through Amazon (with API commission) and direct sales.
• Eight Principles of Parenting Research-backed parenting framework developed by Nurturings that provides practical tools for incorporating attachment principles into parenting styles across eight areas: Prepare for Pregnancy/Birth/Parenting, Feed with Love and Respect, Respond with Sensitivity, Provide Nurturing Touch, Ensure Safe Sleep, Provide Consistent Care, Practice Positive Discipline, and Strive for Balance.
• AP Support Groups Network Global network of 105+ parent group leaders operating independent volunteer support groups in 12 countries, providing community-based education and support for families practicing attachment parenting.
• API Warmline Phone support service providing parents direct access to trained volunteers for guidance and support on attachment parenting topics.
• Attached Family Magazine Print and digital publication featuring articles, research, and resources for families interested in attachment parenting.
• Journal of Attachment Parenting Academic-style publication providing research-based articles and resources on attachment parenting theory and practice.
• AP Professional Directory Searchable directory connecting families with qualified attachment parenting professionals and trained AHPP educators.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nurturings serves tens of thousands of visitors each month on multiple platforms and channels.

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration11 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Appalachian Promise AllianceminorOthersMembership affiliation as part of Nurturings' network of partner organizations supporting families and parenting.
• CBWSminorOthersMembership affiliation as part of Nurturings' network of partner organizations.
• CERPminorOthersMembership affiliation as part of Nurturings' network of partner organizations.
• COREminorOthersMembership affiliation as part of Nurturings' network of partner organizations.
• HOPEminorOthersMembership affiliation as part of Nurturings' network of partner organizations.
• ICEA (International Childbirth Education Association)minorOthersMembership affiliation as part of Nurturings' network of partner organizations supporting childbirth and parenting education.
• Infant Massage USAminorOthersMembership affiliation supporting infant touch and nurturing care.
• NBCC (National Board for Certified Counselors)minorOthersMembership affiliation supporting professional counselors in parenting education.
• NPEN (National Parenting Education Network)minorOthersMembership affiliation as part of Nurturings' network of parenting education organizations.
• US AllianceminorOthersMembership affiliation as part of Nurturings' network of partner organizations.
• USBC (United States Breastfeeding Committee)minorOthersMembership affiliation supporting breastfeeding education and advocacy.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC): NAEYC is a large professional membership organization setting standards and offering resources in early-childhood education, including for families and educators. It overlaps API on the professional-training side (for early-childhood practitioners) and family-education resources but operates at materially greater scale.
• HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics): HealthyChildren.org is the American Academy of Pediatrics' parent-education platform offering research-backed parenting guidance, articles, and tools. It is a larger, institutionally backed incumbent competing for the same parents' attention with content of overlapping scope on child development, discipline, and family health.

Direct peers

• Hand in Hand Parenting: Hand in Hand Parenting is a nonprofit offering a parent-education framework, online classes, and a community of trained "parenting coaches" and support groups. It closely mirrors API's model of proprietary methodology, professional training, and volunteer/community-led parent support, serving a similar parent demographic.
• Parents as Teachers: Parents as Teachers is a nonprofit providing evidence-based home-visiting and parent education through trained parent educators. Its structure — a credentialing curriculum and a national network of affiliates — parallels API's AHPP professional training and 105-leader volunteer support-group model.
• Zero to Three: Zero to Three is a national nonprofit focused on early childhood (birth to three) development, providing research-based resources, professional training, and policy advocacy. It overlaps directly with API's content emphasis on infancy/toddlerhood, research-based methodology, and professional training programs for practitioners.
• La Leche League International: Founded earlier, La Leche League International is a global nonprofit providing mother-to-mother breastfeeding support groups and parent education, supported by trained volunteer leaders. API's co-founders Nicholson and Parker were La Leche League leaders before founding API in 1994, making LLL the closest direct peer in mission, community-led volunteer model, and parent-support focus.
• National Parent Helpline: Operated by Parents Anonymous, the National Parent Helpline is a nonprofit that provides phone-based parent support and warmline services alongside resources and groups. It directly matches API's API Warmline offering and shared mission of accessible, community-based parent support and emotional assistance.
• Family Equality Council: Family Equality is a nonprofit supporting LGBTQ+ families through community, advocacy, and educational resources. It is directly comparable as a community-led, mission-driven nonprofit providing family-focused education, peer support networks, and resource content for an underserved parenting demographic.

Others

• Erikson Institute: Erikson Institute is a higher-education and research institution focused on early childhood development, offering graduate programs, professional development, and research tied to family well-being. It is adjacent — supplying a credentialed workforce and research base that intersects with API's practitioner training and frameworks.

Emerging players

• Parent Coaching Institute: Parent Coaching Institute offers training and certification programs for parent coaches and educators with a smaller but overlapping curriculum focus. It is comparable as a credentialing body targeting the same parenting-professionals segment, though more niche and digitally distributed than API.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/AttachmentParenting
• Xx.com/APInternational
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/attachment-parenting-international

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Attachment Parenting International