Expert: ruth kraft - 10/22/2010

Question
I have a newborn premature daughter that is 21 days old and her father wants
to take her off of breast feeding and switch to formula. I am not okay with
this. He wants to take this action on account of us soon going to court for
custody.  There is yet a day to be  schedule and i want my daughter to
continue on breast feeding for the first few years of her life. I voiced my
opinion to him that the extra benefits of my breast milk to our daughter but
still is trying to have our baby Ava on formula. Is he allowed to make this
decision without my approval?  

Answer
This sounds like a legal problem, which I am not a lawyer so I cannot address it. My only suggestion can really be is that when you get to court, have your research on the importance of breastfeeding for preemies handy. Print out research articles that back you up for breastfeeding. If joint custody is awarded ask for it to be required he give the milk that you pump for the health of the baby. and trust it will be followed. that is all you can do unfortunatly.

It is a fight worth fighting. The benefits to a preemie outweigh even vaccinations. He would be doing his child a disservice to not let her have the valuable breastmilk.

I wish you luck. Court is never fun. Keep focusing on how you want it to play out and be prepared in court. It is not only his choice, it is your choice as the mother too. If you disagree, that is why the courts are there. So bring it up in court.