Visitation Schedules for Newborns

A custody and visitation schedule details when each parent gets to spend time with their child. Schedules for newborns require special planning so they don't hinder the baby's development.

You can create a schedule on your own, with the other parent or with a legal professional.

Benefits of working with the other parent

Whether you're able to set your differences aside and work something out with your ex will have a profound effect on your visitation schedule.

If you agree on a schedule, the court will approve it as long as it's in the best interest of your child. Courts understand that the chances of a schedule succeeding are greater when both parents have input. Negotiating a schedule also gives parents practice in compromise, a vital skill they'll need for their co-parenting journey.

The court will make a schedule for you if you're unable to come to an agreement. What the court decides will be out of your control and may not be ideal for you, though you can give the judge suggestions.

Visits for the noncustodial parent

Newborns are at a precarious time in their lives. It's recommended newborns regularly spend time with each parent, if it's safe, so they develop healthy emotional bonds.

A visitation schedule for newborns is most effective when it allows the noncustodial parent frequent, short visits. A few short visits per week will give your child a better opportunity to bond with the other parent than a six-hour visit once a week. You can extend the visits as the baby grows.

You can customize this with Custody X Change.

Visits should occur in the primary caretaker's home early in the baby's life. This is so the baby stays in a familiar environment and keeps their regular routine of eating, changing and napping. You can move visits to the noncustodial parent's home once the baby seems comfortable.

Overnight visits

A judge is unlikely to give the noncustodial parent overnight visits in a newborn schedule they assign. This is because overnights can disrupt a baby's feeding and sleep schedule, as well as hinder the baby's bond with the custodial parent. A study in the Journal of Marriage and Family found that infants who spend frequent overnights with their noncustodial parent have a higher likelihood of feeling insecure in their custodial parent's presence.

If you agree on a schedule, you can include overnight visits for the noncustodial parent. However, you must make sure the parent sticks to the baby's normal routine.

Maximizing parenting time

To maximize the time each parent spends with the newborn, some parents rearrange their work schedules so one parent cares for the child while the other works. This gives each parent one-on-one time with the baby, and it may eliminate the need to pay for child care.

Of course, that's not possible in all situations. You might instead try to coordinate other responsibilities — for example, your co-parent could watches the baby when you do your grocery shopping.

The easiest way to make a visitation schedule for newborns

Creating a schedule on your own can feel overwhelming. You have to be sure to use airtight legal language and can't omit any required information.

The Custody X Change app takes the guesswork out of the equation by helping you build a schedule piece by piece.

Try this with Custody X Change.

As a result, you get a written schedule and a visual calendar. They meet your family's needs, as well as the court's standards.

For quick, reliable and affordable help making a visitation schedule, turn to Custody X Change.