Can I demand child support?

My boyfriend and I have been together for almost 5 years. We have a 22 month old together and he has never really been in her life. He’s always playing video games, partying, or out and about with his friends. He finally got a job a few weeks ago. We don’t live together, and he’s never really made the effort for either of us. Although I work 30 hours at a warehouse I am having a hard time financially and need a support system. My boyfriend has never bought my daughter food and diapers. We’ve received clothes and diapers from his family, but that was just for the first month after she was born. Is it wrong of me to ask for child support? I know I will get very mean comments based on this post, but for those of you who have been in an abusive relationship or an asian household you would understand.