I really believe 98% of parenting, especially in regards to babies, is intuition-based. As soon as a woman becomes pregnant her instincts kick in, telling her what foods to eat and how to “nest” to prepare for the baby. After birth, this continues with mom’s milk letting down at the exact moment the baby starts fussing and that special feeling that your baby is the cutest in the whole entire world. The latter is especially helpful because it makes moms want to hold and touch their babies (the importance of touch link). Babies reciprocate with the instinct to cling to their mamas while being held.
When I had my first child I didn’t know about baby wearing or attachment parenting.
Luckily I had strong instincts and the sense to listen to them. Well-meaning family and friends told me that tending to my baby too quickly would spoil him, but this just didn’t seem right. When he fussed or cried I just couldn’t ignore him, so I nursed on demand and carried him everywhere in my arms when he wanted to be held. This wasn’t much of a problem since he was my only child. I got things done while he was sleeping or when my husband was around to help.