I don't know about Cali, but I would assume that it depends on the situation. Even if a state allows overnight visits if the parent isn't capable or responsible to take care of an infant/toddler then a judge won't allow it.

It is during the infant/toddler stage that the kids really develop who they are and form bonds with their parents. I think as long as the father is capable, responsible then as hard as it is mothers have to give them the opportunity to bond and to be a parent to that child.

Also keep in mind, there are a lot of mothers out there who have no business having their children during the day let alone at night. The situation is never easy for anyone involved especially the children.

Good Luck!

Thankx purplemoonie. I have heard that it is hard for a "Male parent' to have his child overnight. One thing that is used honestly and dishonestly it the, "I'm breastfeeding still." In this case she was caught in a lie about "still breastfeeding."
By the way, I do give moms two thumbs up for breastfeeding their children.

is the father live in a safe home? does he already have visitation? do you feel safe letting him have the baby overnight? I know in ohio it is tough for men to get any kind of leeway as far as custody and visitation. is the baby at risk of being kidnapped? I would talk to a lawyer and discuss all your options.

He lives in a good neighborhood. Has been given only one full day of parenting time. Is not in danger of kidnapping.

This is my opinion. Children do best with consistency and stability. They can spend the whole day up to bedtime with the noncustodial parent and then sleep at home. That way their routine is pretty much the same, they sleep better, and feel more secure. When they are older, they can handle sleeping around in different places.
My children do not sleep well at their dad's house. He keeps insisting that they say they have 2 homes but this is confusing and upsetting to them,as they spend 90% of their time with me. They have said such things as they really don't have a home, because if they say that, he corrects them to say they have 2 homes.
When they come back from overnights they are exhausted from sleeping in a different place where the temperature, mattress, etc are different. The overnights are mainly for him. We have to spend a day getting over the fatigue. I don't think they would bond any less with him if they came back before bedtime.

The kids first over night was okay. They didnt sleep through the night and cried some which to me was not a big surprise to me because my neices,nephews and other children I have had overnight or during the day have ujusted very well. I myself have a very difficult time getting to sleep sometimes when I am in unfamiliar suroundings. They have been over several times and each time that they come to visit they are more and more comfortable and at peace. They will have their next overnight this week. I know that it will be easier for them everytime they spend time with their family. I think that it was a good ideal to limited over nights in the beginning in order to introduce them to their new schedules. The oldest actually started crying for his father when he was dropped off because the kids primarly spent most of their time with their Dad, before. I am glad that they are allowed to spend full days with both of their parents. Especially when their are so many children who are abandoned and neglected by one or more parent. Their are also many parents who attempt to "alienate" children or punish the other parent by attempting to prevent or limit parenting. This is truly sad as it is never ever in the "best interest of the child" when done for any of these two reasons.