It’s important for Georgia parents to understand how to handle family law issues related to child custody and child support. When a child is an infant, there are specific concerns to address. To ensure the child’s needs are met and the parents feel comfortable with the arrangement, it is wise to consider key factors.
Visitation rights with infants can be complicated. While there is no foolproof strategy, there are basic points to make the process easier. It is natural to be reticent with an infant. Adjusting to parenthood takes time. Parents should pay attention to signs that the baby is giving. Learning is imperative and both parents should go at their own pace, using individual strategies.
When working on visitation, bonding can be achieved by using short-term visits that occur more frequently than normal visitation rights might. Instead of having a weekend, the child could visit for a half-hour several times per week at the outset, then slowly expand the time. The courts will ultimately decide if there will be overnights for an infant as this is often dependent on age.
If the child is being breastfed, the schedule should be arranged to accommodate the child’s needs. The dynamics of breastfeeding can vary. Depending on the mother’s routine, there could be requirements for pumping breastmilk. However, a father could use formula instead of breastmilk during the visitation. These and other considerations should be discussed and settled before the overnight visit.
Visitation rights — especially with infants — can be difficult. That’s why parents dealing with child custody and support issues may want to retain legal counsel. A lawyer could help a client look out for the best interests of their children.