Music producer J.R. Rotem has confirmed to an American publication that he's the father of Britney Spears' third child.

Us Weekly Magazine broke the story of the pregnancy early on Wednesday (27Nov07) and now reporters for rival magazine In Touch Weekly claim they have the news confirmed by the father.

Rotem, who has dated Spears on and off throughout 2007, tells the mag, "It's true."

Sources claim Spears told friends she was sure Rotem was the father when she first learned she was pregnant.

The Toxic singer, who turns 26 on Sunday (02Dec07), reportedly emailed close friends a copy of her baby's ultrasound on 16 November (07), swearing her confidantes to secrecy.

Spears plans on keeping the baby, despite recently losing physical custody of her sons Sean Preston and Jayden James to exhusband Kevin Federline.

She cannot visit the boys without the supervision of a courtappointed parenting monitor.

Friends insist the baby news won't lead to wedding bells for Spears. One pal reveals, "Britney's not looking for another husband but she does like having a man in her life."

The pop superstar is hoping her third child is a little girl, according to insiders. One says, "She's obsessed with having a little girl." (KL/ITW)

Copyright 2007 WENN