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Parenting

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Help separation with 5month

6 replies

Justamumneedinghelp · 15/08/2026 17:16

In need of some help and advice please.
Im in a difficult situation. My relationship is breaking down. I’m a new mom to a 5.5 month old. The father and I were together for a year before pregnancy.
unfortunately I just can’t bring myself to stay in the relationship much longer. We are totally different people and as much as I’ve tried to make this work for our baby it’s making me so unhappy.
we moved in together just before our baby was born.. like a week before. Since that point he was no help at all around the house or with the baby. I mean nothing no quality time with bb no interest in his first smiles nothing. We had an arguement where I expressed this and since he’s show some interest. However I have no confidence that he can look after bb on his own. I have tried leaving him downstairs with him a few times a week while I shower etc but every time within 1.5 hours it ends in crying that turns to hysterical screams. I’ve made a conscious effort to not jump straight in and give him 5-10 mins but it kills me every time. As soon as I take him he stops crying.
on top of this I have seen him carrying him in certain ways I.e one handed trying to put a dummy in his mouth which results in him arching all the way back or pushing him up in the air multiple times like you would see someone do to a 2 year old… he’s 5 months.
going forward I’m concerned once we separate he will want to take him for hours at a time.
let me be clear I absolutely want my bb to have his father but I can’t bring myself to even think about him crying to the point of exhaustion or being handled in a way that hurts him.
he is breastfed and co sleeps with me only.
how realistic is it that I could ask him to do visitation at mine (his current home) untill bb is older.
The whole situation is so sad but whatever I do at this point feels like it’s going to be wrong for someone.

additional comment
he is not currently on the birth certificate.
We are in the uk

OP posts:
MeetMeOnTheCorner · 15/08/2026 17:24

Well you sleep with him and he only wants you. Dad hasn’t bothered and he’s not bonded. If he’s not interested, he’s not. Can you move out?

Justamumneedinghelp · 15/08/2026 17:31

He’s not interested when he’s with him but it feels like he wants to spend time with him just to FaceTime his family with him. That’s all I hear from upstairs when he has him.
it’s my home I would be asking him to leave. What i am concerned about is when we separate is if he want to take him for visits and being away for hours at a time when he clearly can’t settle him at home

OP posts:
MeetMeOnTheCorner · 15/08/2026 17:38

As he’s not on the birth cert he would need to apply for parental responsibility. At the moment he doesn’t have it. He can be asked to leave your home as he’s not married to you. He left it very late to move in didn’t he?!! Not a great choice for a dad. You can consult a solicitor about making him leave because I don’t know the legal side of that. Once he gets PR (if he bothers) he can apply to see DS. This might take some time but you could offer to see him with DS where you remain in the room. Please check my understanding with a solicitor though about parental rights. They are the experts in family law.

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whippersnapper55 · 15/08/2026 17:38

I think if he's showing very little interest in the baby now, he's unlikely to want to have the baby on his own for extended periods of time. Did you move in with him or would you be asking him to move out? I would say that you're happy for him to spend time with his son in your home but as he's breastfed and co-sleeping, overnights will have to wait until he's older. He's very unlikely to take it to court, isn't he?

Sorry cross-posted, I see he moved in with you!

Justamumneedinghelp · 15/08/2026 17:49

I have a co hab agreement so asking him to leave is no problem I’m just holding off because I’m unsure whether he could start taking him for extended periods.
alot of it is for show on his behalf I think the actual day to day care he has no interest in. He just wants every one to think he’s doing a great job. Seeing it from my point of view it makes me infuriated. If he was on his own I don’t think he would even attempt to take him for long periods but he will be moving back with his mum. So then it becomes more of a show and tell.
my only concern is the well being for our baby and he’s incapable of soothing him.

OP posts:
MeetMeOnTheCorner · 15/08/2026 19:09

@Justamumneedinghelp So was my DH. You could post this again in legal matters and perhaps get good advice but as he’s not on the birth cert I think you are currently in a strong position. But please check and level people on here would know.

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