Quit the bad job. Get a new job before the end of 2016. Then optically, it looks like no gap in your resume.
You held a job in 2015 and early 2016? and you will hold another job in 2016.

*resume filler*

If you can afford it, better to leave bad job quickly enough it doesn't have to be a resumer filler and instead have your freelance/side/part-time work give you continuity.

Not terrible at all. Job hopping is a problem if it's a pattern of behavior. A one off short term stint in a job in an otherwise good work history is fine. As long as you maintain your network during the time off, you should be fine.

Not terrible

I made a bad career move. Accepted a job while out on maternity leave, quit and started working after 6 weeks post partum. The job/company sucks. It's like working in a dark, moldy cave and there is no direction. It's out of my industry too and not a logical career step. I took it because of money and a really pushy recruiter. I also don't think I was thinking clearly on no sleep.

Financially I may be able to swing 6 months off while I look. I can also spend time with my baby - it eats me up that I cut maternity leave short for this crap job.

Would it look horrible to future job prospects if I took time out of workplace? I'm Thinking 3-6 months. I can do a little side work to make ends meet and keep a resume fresh. I really don't want to add current job to resume.

Terrible?