I’m Getting Divorced, But I Have a Newborn Baby. What Should I do? (Pt 3)

Baby grasping adult finger
Parenting a newborn when you’re filing for divorce is extremely challenging, but there are ways to overcome the challenges.

Welcome back and thanks for joining us for the wrap up of this interesting and important subject here in Oakland County, Michigan. Whether you live in Oakland County, Macomb County or Livingston County, this information applies. We’ve been looking at the unique challenges faced by divorcing parents who’ve recently had a baby, and they’re very different from the problems that parents face with kids of any other age. So far we’ve discussed how custody is usually determined, and the importance of child support when one parent is staying home to care for the baby. Moving on

Breastfeeding works for some, but not all, mothers.

Breast milk offers many benefits to a developing newborn, which is why many Oakland County moms choose to breastfeed their babies. All over Michigan, high numbers of mothers choose to nurse their infants. In addition to the antibodies found in breastmilk that help babies fight off viruses and bacteria, breastfeeding also lowers a baby’s risk of having asthma, allergies, and obesity in the future.

However, not every mom chooses to, or is able to breastfeed. In those cases formula offers a nutritious alternative for moms who work  and can’t pump, moms with certain medical conditions, and moms who simply choose not to. However, for those moms in Oakland County who do want to breastfeed their babies, but are getting divorced, there are some logistics issues they’ll need to address.

Breastfeeding schedules can be affected by custody schedules

Breastfeeding is not something that can be done on occasion, when it’s convenient. If a mom is breastfeeding and wants to continue, she either needs to be able to nurse her baby regularly, or she needs to be able to pump. Not nursing or pumping decreases milk flow, and can result in milk supplies drying up completely. For a nursing mom, that can be disastrous. Not nursing and not pumping can also be painful for the mother.

So if you’re a nursing mom in or around Oakland County or anywhere else, and your custody arrangement might include a few days and/or nights away from your baby, make sure to pump whenever you can. Also, discuss with your attorneys any breastfeeding-related concerns you may have about your spouse. For example, whether or not the baby’s dad is bottle-feeding your breastmilk to your baby during visitation (if that’s your preference). Sometimes what and how a baby is fed, can be included in the custody agreement.

Divorce is challenging, especially when there’s a newborn involved!

All divorces present challenges, no matter where you live or what your circumstances. But for families here in Oakland County, when there’s a newborn involved, the process can be extremely challenging. Babies require a lot of care. So figuring out what’s best for them, and what you need to do to ensure that all of their needs are met, while also trying to work through a divorce can present parents with some very unique issues that will need to be addressed.

But you don’t have to do it alone. At The Kronzek Firm our skilled family law attorneys can help you with every aspect of this process, from custody and child support, to alimony and asset division, we’ve got you covered. So call us today at (248) 479-6200 , and get the help you need. We’ve helped hundreds of clients here in Michigan for the past quarter century.