Naming baby surname - unmarried parents

[Delano]

Hi, wanted to know what your thoughts are on this.

We r an unmarried couple. Have been dating for 2 years n this pregnancy was unplanned although my boyfriend has been very supportive.

I am in my third trimester and contemplating what surname to use. I have read a few articles which suggest that a baby's surname can cause problems ( doctor, school, travelling) if it differs from the mother's. And that the mother will need to prove that she is indeed the mother every time such situation arises.

I would like to do the right thing for my child. At the same time, it's worth noting that I travel a lot ( pre-pregnancy) and also grew up in a different country so the likelihood is this baby will be travelling a fair bit to my homeland and I wouldn't want to be stopped at customs for kidnapping my own child.

Advice much appreciated

 

[ChloeNat]

My daughter was given her fathers surname when we werent married. It has never caused any problems for me with respect to having to prove I am her mother at doctor's etc. and I did travel with her at one point and only needed her birth certificate so she could travel (not to prove I was her mother). But if you are going anywhere foreign it might cause more probelms I'm not sure.

Just letting you know everything apart from that should be fine.

xx

 

[Alleig]

I double barrelled. That way we share half a name but both parents are in the name. Solves any airport problems.

 

[Sarah13]

We're married but I didn't change my name so we had to decide who's name ds and this baby will have we decided on his for a boy and double barrel for a girl as it sounded nicest with the names we chose. I've had no issues having a different name to both my son and daughter (who's from another relationship) so personally I don't think it matters long as your both happy and agree. My dd is 17 so its not been a problem in all those years! Only thing that ever winds me up is if teachers assume Im Mrs L.... as I don't get on with my ex so last thing I want is his name!

 

[clairebear22]

My boys have their Daddy's surname. It was never an issue for us plus Harry would've been Harry Herrington which is just wrong lol. I've never ever had to prove I'm their Mother either?! Nor have I ever found it difficult with regards to travelling, doctors etc. We'll get married one day when we can afford to so I will have the same surname as my boys but I'm happy to wait x

 

[redbear]

Im married so we all have the same names, but even if not id have done the same, my sil has three children and has taken them on holidays etc with a different name from them and never had any issues, its very common to have a different name from your child these days xx

 

[Mummybexee]

I'm also married but if I wasn't baby would take daddy's name -

 

[Gayle30]

My daughter has her dad's name as we don't get married until this year. We took her to Tenerife on hols last September with no issues. Nobody bats an eyelid now.