Chicken Pox

[WinkyWinkola]

My friend's DS has the pox. I was supposed to meet her this week with my DS (27 months) and DD (4 months). I'd quite like DS to get it to get it over with. But what about DD? Is it awful for little babies?

Advice much appreciated.

[tacit]

The son of a friend had chicken pox at a couple of months old, and was very ill indeed.

I wouldn't wish it on a baby, it's miserable.

[belgo]

No, not for a baby. If she does catch it at this age, she'll probably catch it again when she's older.

[belgo]

I mean I don't think you should deliberately expose a 4 month old to chicken pox

[Doodledootoo]

Message withdrawn

[WinkyWinkola]

Thanks. I suspected as much. I won't visit her. Thanks again.

[andonandonandonandon]

DS1 got chickenpox when ds2 was just 2 weeks old. I was told by gp that if I have had it then ds2 could not get it within first 6 months or so, highly unlikely within first year and if he did it would probably be very mild, maybe only 1 or 2 spots.

And he didnt get it btw.

[andonandonandonandon]

Thats if he did get it after 6 months old. GP insisted it was impossible, not just unlikely, before 6 months if I've had it.

[Doodledootoo]

Message withdrawn

[belgo]

It's certainly possible to catch chicken pox before the age of 6 months

[tacit]

It's not impossible. Unlikely maybe but it happens - my friend's son is testament to that. Not only did he catch it, he was extremely poorly with it.

[WinkyWinkola]

Is that if you're breastfeeding, abandononon?

[andonandonandonandon]

Hi sorry i was going to post that I was abit dubious and have heard of people whos dc have had it but was abit distracted so didnt

And no it wasnt if bfing and she said it wasnt just unlikely it was impossible if the mother has definitely had it. But then that would imply she also believes that its impossible for anyone to catch it if they've had it before and I've heard plenty of stories of people having it twice. But I do think it is probably highly unlikely. And that bfing would help with immunity.

DD had chicken pox when ds1 was about 8 months, around the time i stopped bfing him, and he didnt catch it from her either.

BTW - it was 12 weeks ago that ds1 had it and he still has qiuite afew pink spots left - how long do they normally take to go away?

[lemonaid]

Definitely not impossible in first 6 months.

I've known small babies have very minor cases and very bad cases -- wouldn't risk it, myself.