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AIBU?

Newborn exposure to chickenpox

16 replies

Missmac84 · 05/04/2017 21:19

Not really an AIBU but wanted some advice? Phoning the health visitor to check tomorrow but wanted to see what others thought?

I'm meant to be going to my mums for a full family get together this weekend.

My brothers DS (1) has chickenpox - most blisters have scabbed over and the doctor has said that he can go back to nursery on Friday as he won't be contagious. His DS (2) has been slightly unwell this week but so far no spots/blisters.

I have a DD aged 2 and a DS aged 1 month neither who have had chickenpox.

Should I risk going? I'm under the impression that the younger they are the easier it is on them?? Also there's no evidence that his second son has got chickenpox.....

TIA

OP posts:

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UppityHumpty · 05/04/2017 21:21

I thought the younger they are the more dangerous. Check with your midwife and GP def

Applesandpears23 · 05/04/2017 21:23

I wouldn't risk it. Are you breastfeeding? Have you had chicken pox?

imNew1985 · 05/04/2017 21:25

Don't risk it

SalemSaberhagen · 05/04/2017 21:26

Hell no would I risk it.

londonrach · 05/04/2017 21:27

No way..your youngest is too young. Chicken pox can occasionally be very nasty with complications. Avoid avoid avoid!!!

Ionacat · 05/04/2017 21:28

My DD2 caught chicken pox at 8 weeks as my eldest had it and caught it from school. I mentioned it to the GP at the 6 week check as thought oldest was about to come down with it and she said it was extremely unlikely to come down with it especially as I'm bfing but if she did it was likely to be very mild. She had about 7 spots in total.
I would see what your HV has to say and take it from there.

NickMyLipple · 05/04/2017 21:33

If you're breast feeding and you've had it, in all likelihood baby will be fine - may get it 'mildly' mainly with a slight fever but will have lots of immunity from you.

I nanny for a family with 2yo twins and a 4 week old baby - dad had shingles, the twins then got chicken pox and mum was breastfeeding baby - baby didn't get it because mum had immunity and as breast feeding.

Though the risk is minimal if you're breast feeding, chicken pox can still be a serious illness in young children and it's effects should not be underestimated. It's mostly fine but can cause some serious reactions, and for that reason I probably wouldn't risk it unless I was 110% sure that all the pox had fully scabbed over.

harderandharder2breathe · 05/04/2017 21:36

Generally your eldest would be the "right" age but your youngest is tiny, young enough that any complications could be really serious. I wouldn't risk it

LivininaBox · 05/04/2017 21:50

Sorry but BFing does not protect against chicken pox. My EBF baby had dreadful chicken pox. No serious complications, but lots of scars and it was a big worry. Very young babies have some protection that was passed to them while in the womb, but this wears off. I wouldn't risk it with your baby that young.

BertieBotts · 05/04/2017 22:00

It's VERY dangerous for little ones, don't think of it. "Better when they're young" means a 3-5 year old in comparison to someone in their early 20s. Not a newborn

Ilovepsychology · 05/04/2017 22:05

I'm not sure about the risk involved but my youngest son had it at ten weeks. He caught it from his older brother, aged two. Everyone told me the younger one would still have my immunity and therefore wouldn't get it. But, sure enough two weeks after the older one's first spots appeared he developed spots too.

He wasn't at all unwell with it, case was only mild and we haven't had to worry about him getting it again.

Goldmandra · 05/04/2017 22:14

I think the amount of immunity you pass on in your breast milk depends on how strong your own immunity is.

If you had a bad dose of CP as a teenager, I would imagine your immunity could be enough to protect a newborn but there must be so many variables that I wouldn't rely on it.

I would keep away.

LunaLambBhuna · 05/04/2017 22:15

I wouldn't risk it. I was exposed to chicken pox during very late pregnancy, having never had it in childhood. We were all very worried that I might get it. My GP told me it can be very serious in newborns. Luckily, I avoided it that time.

BluBambu · 05/04/2017 22:39

I wouldn't risk it either. Our baby had it at about 6 months, was very upset with it and has some scars. Luckily the itching didn't bother him but he went off food and milk and needed to be held constantly. I too thought he wouldn't get it and if he did it would be mild but it was terrible and got infected so he had antibiotics.

Missmac84 · 05/04/2017 22:39

Thanks to all for your replies.

I think based on the reactions that I'll stay away, plenty others opportunities to get together xx

OP posts:

Shitonmyshoe · 05/04/2017 23:50

Check with GP. My DS caught it from my DD at 3 days, he was fine. Please check though

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