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AIBU?

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Original poster

To let my baby catch chicken pox?

207 replies

Rumplestrumpet · 18/12/2015 19:48

In brief, my husband, baby and me are due to go away for 3 days with another family next week. They're a lovely couple though, tbh, our husbands have nothing in common, so it's really just us wives pushing it. She told me yesterday that her son has come down with chicken pox. Our baby is almost 6 months old and has never had it, though DH and I have.

I spoke to my HV today and she was very relaxed about it - they have to get it at some point, at least now you're on mat leave so won't have to take time off to look after her. She is exclusively breast fed so you can comfort her with the breast - it's your call.

DH would happily ditch the whole thing, but I feel like I still want to go... But then I will feel terribly if baby catches it and is in a lot of pain....

Anyone had a small baby with chicken pox? Is it really awful? ie worse than when they're older?

Welcome advice please!

OP posts:
CPtart · 18/12/2015 21:26

DS2 caught it at one week old off his older brother. He's ten now. Never had it again.

pasbeaucoupdegendarme · 18/12/2015 21:27

My did had it at 22 months and it was pretty nasty for her, not to mention boring for me being stuck indoors for 10 days!

I wouldn't risk it. If my ds gets to 1yo without having caught it, I'm certainly considering vaccinating him.

bumbleymummy · 18/12/2015 21:27

When are you due to go away? As others have said, the other child might not be contagious - it usually takes about 5-7 days for the spits to scab over.

Both my boys had standard CP - a bit itchy for a few days but otherwise fine. I don't think I would want to deliberately expose a 6 month old though.

pasbeaucoupdegendarme · 18/12/2015 21:27

PS my dd has scars on her torso and face from it Sad

Boosiehs · 18/12/2015 21:30

No way would I do that.

I had DS vaccinated recently and am v pleased I did.

HypodeemicNerdle · 18/12/2015 21:31

My DD had it at 10 months, it was thankfully pretty mild, although she was really uncomfortable and miserable, in part due to being in a spica cast, she's still got a couple of scars on her legs from where the plaster rubbed at the spots.
DD got it from her big brother, I've learnt from this thread that she may get it again, I didn't even realise!
Considering you've got the chance to avoid them I would, your DD is only little and avoiding her being potentially unwell makes sense to me.

DixieNormas · 18/12/2015 21:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

namechangedtoday15 · 18/12/2015 21:40

I haven't read all the replies but I get so angry about the blasé attitude to chicken pox. It can be really nasty. We know of 2 little boys who have had strokes as a side effect of particularly nasty strains of chicken pox. 3 years on and one of them is still very poorly.

For what it's worth, my 11 month old was covered in them and poorly with it. She had them up her bottom, in her eyes. It was awful.

Don't willingly expose your baby to it. It's not worth it.

dementedpixie · 18/12/2015 21:45

My ds had it at 6 months and then had shingles at age 3. If they get it under 1 year there is more chance of childhood shingles

DixieNormas · 18/12/2015 21:45

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Dungandbother · 18/12/2015 21:50

I'm being contentious

I exposed DS at 8 m. I was on mat leave.
I look at C pox as well, they will get it at some point.....
Those that don't get it till school ie age 5, seem to get it worse. Only in my opinion of friends experiences though.

DS had hand foot and mouth age 2. That nearly hospitalised him as he wouldn't drink. Hand F & M was a million times worse than chicken pox for him.

You simply can't tell how bad they will be.

I don't think the other child will be infectious by the time you go.

I'd go. If it is caught, it takes quite a few days to incubate so you should be able to have a nice Hols.

I realise I am at odds with most of you. But just trying to give an alternate view.

Piratepete1 · 18/12/2015 21:54

Pay for a private vaccination. Problem solved.

TheFairyCaravan · 18/12/2015 22:00

DS2 caught it from DS1 when he was 14months. I wasn't that bothered because DS1, who was 3, had had it quite mildly and wasn't that poorly.

DS2 was covered in spots, he got spots on top of the spots and ended up with Pneumonitis just 6 weeks after he'd spent a week in hopsital with Pneumonia. He was so, so poorly.

I personally wouldn't risk it.

queenmools · 18/12/2015 22:03

My 4 and 1 year olds have just had it and it was horrible for the little one, she had spots all up her bum and on her bits, I was really worried about infection. Also you can't give piriton to stop the itching until they are 1.

knobblyknee · 18/12/2015 22:26

I did this and recently was yelled at for it, because apparently as an adult it causes shingles. I thought it prevented them, its what everyone did when I was growing up. Do you might want to check that.

BlueSmarties76 · 18/12/2015 22:34

It can be deadly, pay for private vaccination, don't expose.

ProudAS · 18/12/2015 22:59

At 6 months old he's unlikely to develop long term immunity. Don't do it.

Creiddylad · 18/12/2015 23:09

I would do it, but I am all for exposing them to diseases and letting them build their immunity.

DS got it at 18 months. He was happy, but he had so many spots he was like bubble wrap. We had to cancel a holiday to the states, they would not have let us on the plane.

DD got it at about 1, she only had 3 spots on her bum. Not very miserable at all. Can not remember if I kept her home from nursery. (it was 13 years ago)

bumbleymummy · 18/12/2015 23:15

For those reading this thread and getting worried - you do always hear worst case scenarios on MN but for the vast majority of children CP is a mild illness (NHS) yes, there can be complications (as with any illness) but they are rare.

I think there is a possible case to be made for vaccinating older children/teenagers (particularly girls) if they haven't contracted it in childhood but I think it's unnecessary for most children and, in the OP's case, her baby would be too young for it anyway - a bit of an over reaction anyway considering the other child may not even be contagious by the time they go or she could just choose not to go!

namechangedtoday15 · 18/12/2015 23:46

I absolutely agree. It's very rare for there to be serious complications. But even if it was 1 in 1000, why would you take that chance when there is absolutely no need to, and the ramifications of being that 1 are so huge?

dementedpixie · 18/12/2015 23:49

Pointless exposing an under 1 as they may not get immunity and will be at greater risk of childhood shingles

FannyTheChampionOfTheWorld · 18/12/2015 23:51

The vaccine is most effective in childhood, so you'd need to consider that before deciding to wait until the teens. Not that its an option yet for OPs baby though.

namechangedtoday15 · 18/12/2015 23:55

Just to add about the immunity thing - not sure how it works but as posted above 11 month old was v poorly with it. DS who was just 5 at the time had about 20 or 30 spots, wasn't grumpy or anything.

He got it again this summer (now 10) so I think even if they have it before (at any age) it doesn't necessarily prevent them from getting it again.

bumbleymummy · 19/12/2015 00:01

Fanny, even less effective in adults. Not great if your immunity from your childhood vaccine wanes and you need a booster. Higher risk of complications in adults. I'd rather they had the opportunity to have it as children when it is typically mild and, in most cases, confers lifelong immunity.

Lelania · 19/12/2015 00:27

I had it at the age of 26 years and it spread to my lungs. I wish my mum had exposed me to it when I was younger. I caught it from my 8 week old nephew who had about 3 spots and was a little grizzly.