Caring for a baby can be challenging regardless of the relationship status between the child’s parents. However, it can be even more challenging for parents in Texas who are divorced, separated or otherwise not together. As a general rule, infants do best when they have a predictable routine, and they tend to thrive when given a chance to spend time bonding with both parents.
It is also important that parents trust each other to learn what the baby wants or needs. This is because neither parent is likely to take the same approach to a given problem. Furthermore, it may take one person longer than the other to get a sense for why the baby is crying or how to hold them. In many cases, visitation with infants will occur in short intervals many times a week. Noncustodial parents may be allowed visits of 30 minutes or less with an infant.
Overnight visits may not occur until the child has reached their second or third birthday. However, they can be beneficial for custodial parents as it can give them time to catch up on their sleep. If a mother is breastfeeding, it may play a role in determining how a visitation schedule is structured. However, it may be possible to use formula instead of milk to make longer visits easier to manage.
If a child custody dispute arises, it may be possible for the parents to resolve it on their own. However, any decision that a parent makes will need to be in a child’s best interest. When parents don’t agree on what that means in a given situation, it may be worthwhile to take the matter to court. An attorney may help a parent prepare for a court hearing in a domestic case.