Long distance custody
Show your support
It makes sense that he would be wanting to have some time with baby away from you but I do think 10 months is still very little. Is he able to come to you still and then take baby out for a walk, to a play centre or park or something for an hour or so not far from you? That way he gets the one on one time but if something happens they’re close enough to go to doctors, etc. Another option is to meet half way, that way he can baby a bit more regularly. I also second having a custody agreement, things are only going to get harder as baby grows and starts kindergarten, school, activities and with friends, etc. These are things you and your ex should probably start thinking about to avoid conflict and resentment in the future. Good luck!
He should definitely start by taking Bub for increasing amounts of time during the day. Once he’s ready for an overnight he could stay at your house with baby while you take a night off and stay with friends or family nearby? I don’t think there’s any need to take baby to his town 4.5 hours away until he’s ready to take him for a few nights or a week at a time but that wouldn’t be for another year or two.
Do you have a formal custody agreement in place? If not, might be time to think about getting one in order to put boundaries in place. You're the primary carer, so your relationship with bubs needs to be put before your ex's needs and wants. 10 months is very young to be taken away from a primary carer for any length of time