My ex took custody of my 3 older children and tried to take my baby too but he couldn't get her. Please do the following to help keep your child with you:
1. Get a good lawyer ASAP and get a residence order which states baby lives with you, and offer a visitation plan for XH. Then you look reasonable to the courts and they are less likely to grant him custody if you have already been granted residence papers.
2. Breast feed your baby as much as possible. As well as being best for baby, they are less likely to give him custody if baby is physically dependent on you.
3. Keep your house spotless at all times, because you never know when the authorities will visit.
4. Develop good relationship with doctor/health visitor etc and take baby to see them when requested. Then you have paper evidence of being a 'good mother'. Always ask to see doctor's notes etc and if there is anything you don't agree with, have it removed from record. You can do that.
NEVER cry in front of a professional, or talk about your personal life with them. I did this and it was my downfall.
5. Never bar ex's access, and if you can't do a particular time, offer an alternative.
6. Don't engage in telephone convo's with him, or face-to-face convos, as he could make allegations. Stick to email only and keep it brief, purely about contact.
I learnt all this too late for my older daughters, but I kept by baby by doing these steps and she will be 4 this July.
