Newborn exposed to chicken pox

[RubyrooUK]

My DS2 (just three weeks old) was exposed to chicken pox a few days ago. A friend's toddler came down with it the day after visiting and kissing the baby.

My DS1 also kissed the other toddler but he has had CP so hoping he will avoid another dose.

But what about DS2? I am breastfeeding but do I need to tell doctor/health visitor? Or just wait and see? Is there anything I should avoid doing like seeing other children or not?

Sorry, a bit sleep deprived and clueless. And dreading my very small baby getting CP....come with your useful words of advice....

[Lolly12]

Not an expert but I had shingles diagnosed a few days after DD was born so she and DS may have been exposed to chickenpox virus (rash on my leg) before we knew what it was. DD is nearly four weeks now and fingers crossed no sign of chickenpox for her or DS and incubation period is usually 21 days max.

I did some reading and newborns may have some protection from you already and breastfeeding may help too. My GP did say if DD showed signs of chickenpox to take her in as they would probably want to treat it in such a young baby. Unfortunately it's a case of waiting it out and keeping an eye out for spots.

I avoided pregnant women and other very small babies and have been militant with hand hygiene but have been out and about as normal. Maybe just keep other at risk people away from holding/touching your baby until you know either way.

[MirandaWest]

DS got chicken pix when DD was 4 weeks old. I was bf and several people told me that she wouldn't get it.

She got it when she was 6 weeks old. She was very spotty, quite sleepy and otherwise fine. I did take her to the GP to check it was chicken pox and was told what would be danger signs (cant remember what now but was 7.5 years ago) but all was well.

[NaturalBlondeYeahRight]

My HV also said BF have more immunity. People with toddlers are often exposed to the virus. Don't think there is much you could do now anyway- see Dr if baby gets poorly.

[MirandaWest]

I avoided people when DS was contagious but for the week between I didn't. Possibly should have done but equally didn't avoid people when DS was about to get it.

[KristinaM]

If you have had chickenpox yourself and you are BF , that's a very good thing.your toddler will probably be ok too as he's had it before.


So try not to worry.you don't need to contact your GP unless you baby gets spots or is otherwise unwell

Most children get chickenpox when they are toddlers or pre schoolers. Many of these have babies at home or have contact with other babies. Your situation is very common. Please don't worry unnecessarily

[RubyrooUK]

Thanks all. DS1 got chicken pox at 20 months and wasn't too bad so I know it's super common when kids are young.

But since DS2 is only three weeks and already has a stinking cold, I was hoping to avoid CP quite so early on......

[lesmisfan]

DD had chicken pox when DS was 12 weeks old and EBF. He didn't get it, so you may be lucky.

[RubyrooUK]

Thanks Lemis - am stuffing nipple in DS2's mouth as we speak to flood him with antibodies.....

[wfrances]

the day before ds was born my older 2 came out with the spots
paed wouldnt let me take my baby home ,i had to go to stay with my mum -christmas day and all- it was awfull
i couldnt go home for a week.
i was told if a newborn caught it ,they had a higher risk of encephalitis(sp)

[abbyfromoz]

Friend was bfing DD2 when DD1 came home from nursery. They both had it

[ilovepowerhoop]

I would consult your gp as exposure to chicken pox under 4 weeks old can be more serious than in an older baby.

[SweepTheHalls]

Don't panic my DS got it when he was 12 days old, despite being breast fed. He got 5spots and never even noticed it! If they do feel poorly, speak to your GP as mine gave a specified mini dose of carpool as he was so little. He's played with kids since who
Have it and not caught it again so in some respects I'm glad we got it over with when he was o little, and at least it didn't mean t. Off work!

[ilovepowerhoop]

SweepTheHalls, having chicken pox under the age of 1 puts them at more risk of childhood shingles (ds had it at the age of 3 after having chicken pox at 5½ months)

[RubyrooUK]

Thanks all. Rung health visitor who said she has seen this before numerous times but only seen one newborn actually get CP who was bottle fed. So she said I'd be very unlucky to get it if this was the case but obviously keep an eye out for any odd behaviour or spots.

[tholeon]

Looked into this a lot as dd was exposed at about 2.5 weeks old, her older brother had it. She got a few spots at just over four weeks old but was otherwise fine. I took her into a and e after she began to show symptoms and they said that if she had been under four weeks old - at symptoms, not exposure - they would have given I v antibiotics. She was just old enough not to need this and like I said was absolutely fine. I think it can be more of a problem for a very small baby if there is no maternal immunity, but if you have had it she should be ok.

[pettyprudence]

my db popped out with cp spots within hours of being born (allegedly- is this even possible?)
i had cp and was sent to stay with gps as my dm was pg. except my dm missed me so picked me up and took me out every day
afaik my db never received any treatment but this was 23 years ago and he was ebf

[MyDarlingClementine]

cp incubate for about two weeks so look out for two weeks after exposure you cant just get it from immediate access to child with it.

you poor poor thing, I had this scare a few weeks ago and like yours baby was just dealing with cold etc as well.

[narmada]

If I were you I would speak to a medical professional for advice. Chances are everything will be just fine but if your DS has any other medical issues, or you have not had CP yourself, then they may be able to give either vaccine or antivirals. CP in very young babies is not to be messed about with.

[stingray11]

I just wanted to post because of the worries I went through. My 2 year-old came down with chicken pox 2 days after we came home from the hospital with my newborn daughter (so she was only 3 days old). I was terribly worried she'd get it and got conflicting advice from 111 and GP but a paediatrician and 2 midwifes said that as I had had chicken pox myself (plus I was breastfeeding her), she'd be very unlikely to get them. One midwife said she'd never yet seen it in 20 years that a newborn contracted chicken pox that way. Obviously, other people on here have experienced that but it did help me not to worry so much. And my daughter never got it (even though my son sneezed right in her face and slept in our bed before we knew he had it). My recommendation would be to stay vigilant if your newborn has been exposed but not to worry too much if you've had them yourself.