What state are you in?
Where is the father or is he in the childs life?
Are you working or in School or both?
You need a good lawyer but like most of us can not afford one...try legal aid in your state of (?)
Is your father able to stay objective and apeal for your case?
The System sometimes swings TOO much the other way...and that is unfortunate......they are not usually objective,nor investigate carefully.....They also make money on each case they open...and maintain.
It justifies their continued existance.....
If one judge does not help, you have the right to ask for another.....Be calm and emotionally in control.....I speak from experience. It is hard when Unfairly attacked or Vilified to Be Calm....They count on this......
Go to church, Do community service NOW! Work a job at least part time...show that your child will be in Head Start while you are working..or in Kindergarden....Get that HS diploma if you don't have it...or the GED or take a College or Vocational class.
If you are not in a "Relationship" now...don't start...that can be used against you......
If you are...and he is hard working and stable and it looks like it is going somewhere, consider your love for him turning into a stable marriage.....
THIS is what shows them that you have it altogether. SHOW them your SHORT TERM AND LONG TERM GOALS....and work on accomplishing them....THAT way the System and the people holding your five year old..have nothing to stand on....