Writing a Parenting Plan for an Infant or Newborn

 Posted on September 05, 2025 in Child Custody

For new parents, raising a baby is already a life-changing responsibility. But when parents are divorced, separated, or were never married, figuring out how to manage an infant is exceptionally difficult. Sleepless nights, feeding schedules, and the stress of providing for a newborn collide with questions about how to share parenting responsibilities, especially if you do not really know or trust your co-parent. Nevertheless, in Illinois, all parents who share custody of minor children are required to create a parenting plan, and for infants and newborns, the details must reflect the unique needs of a very young child.

At The Law Office of Matthew M. Williams, P.C., our Oswego child custody attorneys have more than 25 years of experience helping parents get through difficult separations, DCFS involvement, and custody disputes involving troubled youth. We can guide you through the process of writing a parenting plan that protects your rights and gives your child the best possible start after divorce, from infancy onward.

Why Parenting Plans Are Required for Illinois Parents

Illinois law (750 ILCS 5/602.10) requires parents to file a written parenting plan within 120 days of beginning a custody case. This document sets out how parenting time will be shared, who will make important decisions about education, health care, religion, and extracurricular activities, how exchanges will take place, and what methods will be used to resolve disputes. When the child is an infant, these provisions must be tailored with extra care to reflect the baby’s developmental needs.

Parents are encouraged to make their own parenting plan, even though this can be difficult. Sometimes courts ask parents to go to mediation meetings so they can negotiate a parenting plan based on compromise that works for everyone. When parents cannot agree on their parenting plan, each parent will submit their preferred plan and the court will decide for them based on the baby’s best interests. Having an attorney make a strong argument for what the baby’s interests are can be very beneficial for getting the outcome you hope for.

Special Considerations in Custody Arrangements for Infants and Newborns

Newborns require round-the-clock care, and this reality shapes how parenting plans are written. Feeding schedules often dictate the rhythm of daily life, and if the child is being breastfed, the parenting plan must consider this in how time is divided. Even if one parent provides most of the hands-on care, the other parent should be given regular opportunities to spend time with the child and begin building a secure bond.

Courts also understand the fact that infants thrive on stability and routine, so arrangements should avoid frequent disruptions to the baby’s sleep. Medical decisions, which are more common in the first year of life due to checkups and vaccinations, should be clearly addressed in advance so both parents know their roles.

Parenting Time Schedules for Infants

A parenting plan deals with two major pieces of custody: Decision-making authority (often called "legal custody") and parenting time (also called "visitation"). There is no universal parenting time schedule for newborns, but courts often prefer gradual arrangements that start slowly and allow the child to grow into longer visits.

For example, a parent may start with short but frequent visits that gradually expand in length as the child gets older. Overnight parenting time usually becomes more practical once the child is weaned and has a more predictable routine. These schedules are designed to support the baby’s development while still making sure that both parents are consistently involved.

Challenges with Co-Parenting Communication After a Divorce

Many co-parents find that communicating with their child’s other parent can be a very stressful experience, especially in the early months after a separation or divorce. Yet a successful parenting plan – and successful parenting itself – for an infant requires open communication between the parents.

Newborns change quickly, and both parents need to be informed about feeding and sleep schedules, doctor visits, and developmental milestones. Some parents find that using co-parenting apps or shared calendars helps keep track of these details and reduces conflict. When communication is clear, the baby benefits from a smoother and more consistent routine across both households.

Managing Conflict Between Divorced or Separated Parents of Infants 

When parents have a strained relationship, parenting plans for infants often need to include very specific details so exchanges are scheduled at neutral locations, communication can be restricted to text or email, and arguments may need to be resolved through mediation.

Because newborns are particularly sensitive to stress, minimizing conflict during exchanges and parenting time is critical. Courts in Kane County often take extra care when high conflict, DCFS involvement, or allegations of neglect are present. If parents absolutely cannot agree or discuss their child’s arrangements without getting into fights, the court may respond by limiting parenting time exchanges.

Adjusting a Parenting Plan as a Child Grows

Parenting plans for infants are not set in stone. As the baby grows into a toddler, preschooler, and beyond, modifications can be made to reflect new needs and routines. Illinois law allows parenting plans to be changed if there is a substantial change in circumstances or if an update is in the child’s best interests.

A "substantial change in circumstances" sounds somewhat vague, and the definition is not exact. Courts have previously considered significant, unexpected, or objective changes to be substantial. For example, a new job or moving further away could count, as could a child who develops different needs or a parent who finds themselves unable to care for a child due to addiction or illness. Whatever the reason, parents should expect that as their child’s development progresses, the parenting plan could change as well.

Call an Oswego, IL Child Custody Lawyer Today

If you are a new parent trying to create a parenting plan for your infant, there is no need to figure it out on your own. Call the experienced attorneys at The Law Office of Matthew M. Williams, P.C. at 630-409-8184 today for a consultation. Our Kendall County family lawyers have more than 25 years of experience, including cases involving DCFS, troubled youth, and difficult separations, and we are ready to help guide you and your child toward a bright future.