Newborn Custody Question

[lgb22]

I am three months pregnant and the father of my child wants 50/50 custody once the baby is born. I 100% plan on breast feeding and can't imagine having my newborn baby leave overnight, let alone whole weekend while it is only days or weeks old. Not only for bonding reasons, but the supply and demand of breast feeding. I am wondering what my rights are as a mother with a newborn baby? I am also wondering if it matters custody wise what my child's last name will be or if the father's name is on the birth certificate. I am wondering what the odds are of a Judge awarding 50/50 custody with a newborn baby....

 

[dee_dub]

Laws vary by state, but it is a virtual certainty that his access when the child is newborn will be limited to short, possibly frequent, visits.

Custody-wise, states also vary on what happens if his name is left off the birth certificate. It might result in a presumption that you have sole custody. Or it might make no difference. Consult a local lawyer. In any case, he could get his name added if he wants it to be and he can establish paternity. Remember also that leaving his name off the birth certificate may have child support implications.

 

[Duranie]

It is way too early to already fight over this. It is unlikely the father will get 50/50 custody. But you have to remember now that you have split with the father, solely breastfeeding may not be a realistic possibility if dad gets some visitation. You might want to work on getting the baby on a bottle eventually. If Dad is awarded unsupervised visits for short periods of time he'll have to feed the baby. He'll have to go to court and establish paternity and get visitation. He may get supervised at first, he may not but unlikely he will get 50% parenting time of a newborn.