Alameda County Family Court Mediation
Does anyone have recent experience with the Alameda County Court Mediator, Melinda Morris? If anyone has had her as their mediator, can you share your experience on how she was with your case? Was she fair? Was she understanding of breastfeeding children and custody?
I have a nearly nine month old son that is breastfeeding. My ex filed for 50% custody when he was 6 months old and is asking for a 2-2-3 schedule effective immediately. He has been asking for overnights and multiple days with him since he was less than a month old. I have been so flexible and cooperative with allowing him time with our son. More than most cases that I have heard and read about!
We just had our mandatory mediation appointment and did not come to an agreement so we have to wait for Melinda Morris’s recommendating report for another couple of weeks. I’m so scared that she will recommend a 50/50 schedule effective immediately or even in the next year so I will pretty much be forced to stop breastfeeding.
Feeling very scared.
Parent Replies
A 50/50 custody agreement does not necessarily preclude breastfeeding. If it gets to the Court to decide (and I’m sure in the mediator’s view as well), both the nursing parent and the other parent have rights to the child and a loving relationship with them; the child’s best interest of course comes first. Both parents should be willing to be flexible to ensure a beneficial agreement works out. Pumping and providing breast milk to the other parent is common. Best of luck to all of you.