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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To worry about chickenpox

24 replies

scarednoob · 09/04/2016 20:10

Saw a friend today and I didn't know until we got there that her son was just recovering from chickenpox. Her older son hasn't had it yet - but I noticed he had a very runny nose and was whingy!

DP and I have both had it and I am still bf'ing DD who is 7 months. AIBU to worry that she will get it? She's still so little

OP posts:

ghostyslovesheep · 09/04/2016 20:22

Your friend should really have told you - try not to worry - CP is usually mild but I understand your concern

KittyCheshire · 09/04/2016 20:23

I don't think there is much you can do other than watch.

Usually the other kid comes down with it within a couple of weeks of the first, or at least my two followed straight on from each other. :(

Try not to worry too much.

coconutpie · 09/04/2016 20:37

You visited a friend today with a 7mo old baby and your friend didn't tell you her child had chicken pox? What a really inconsiderate, irresponsible person

Hopefully your baby will be fine as you are bf and won't catch it. But I'm really annoyed for you that your friend was so stupid.

GinAndColonic · 09/04/2016 20:43

You're still breastfeeding so your baby should be immune too.

But I'd find new friends!

museumum · 09/04/2016 20:49

My ds got it st 9mo and honestly I think it's better and easier then (especially if bf) than older.

PansOnFire · 09/04/2016 20:53

Definitely not U, your 'friend' sounds like an arse. I'd tell her you didn't appreciate her not giving you the heads up before you met her, at least then you'd have the choice. What a stupid 'friend'.

My DC haven't had it yet, my youngest is the same age as your baby and I completely understand the way you feel. Hopefully your breast milk will provide the immunity for her.

jamdonut · 09/04/2016 21:06

My DD was 4 months old when she got chickenpox...no idea where she got it from! I didn't have a lot of friends, and it wasn't any of their kids, so, have to assume it was some random child whilst out and about! I was breast-feeding too!

Luckily she wasn't very unwell with it, but was left with some scars ( on her face and back) which are still noticeable now ( she's 19, now).

Notso · 09/04/2016 21:07

All my three boys got chicken pox under one. Two had it very mildly one had it badly but it was worse partly due to me being told to give him Ibuprofen.
If your baby does get it do not give ibuprofen.

Runningupthathill82 · 09/04/2016 21:12

My DD had chickenpox three weeks ago, aged seven weeks. Caught it from her elder brother, who picked it up at nursery.
I was scared about her having it so young, but I honestly shouldn't have been.
Although she had far more spots than her brother, she wasn't in anywhere near as much discomfort, and was perfectly happy with just cuddles, milk and scratch mitts.

DS, meanwhile, (3), was in a terrible state. I honestly think it's best to get it out of the way when they're younger - at least based on my experience.

MrsJ12 · 09/04/2016 21:19

Don't expect your baby to be immune because you are breastfeeding. Certainly wasn't the case for my 7mth old. We've just come out the other side with my little boy having caught it from his older brother. He had it really bad (a lot worse than his sibling and his friends ) and was extremely spotty and had an unsettled few nights but he was quickly over it. It was UR your friend not mentioning it but it's likely your little girl will get it at some stage and while not pleasant it is a fairly mild illness so I wouldn't worry too much

CalleighDoodle · 09/04/2016 21:20

My dd got it at 9 months, was breastfed, was miserable but she is a healthy child and it wasnt too bad. Lots of Cbeebies and boobie milk. She got her first two spots at a music class and two hours later when it became apparent what it was id emailed the teacher to email the class. Your friend is really inconsiderate.

WalkingZed · 09/04/2016 21:29

Not much help at this time but I've just got my 12 month old vaccinated against cp.

Something to consider if they don't get it right now.

Ameliablue · 09/04/2016 21:30

What's the problem with ibuprofen?

dementedpixie · 09/04/2016 21:33

It can lead to bad skin reactions when combined with chicken pox so should be avoided.

SweetieXPie · 09/04/2016 21:48

My oldest who was three at the time caught it and gave it to my then 8 month old. I can honestly say my 8 month old was ok, my three year old was really ill with it.
I had the two of them going through it at the same time, tbh I was glad to get it out of the way. I have friends whoes children have not had it and they are 10/11/12 and they are worried as the older you are the worse you tend to get it.
A bit of your friend not to mention it but if your dd does get it, at least it is out of the way.
I am currently waiting for my youngest who is three to get it.

Original poster

scarednoob · 10/04/2016 04:06

Thanks everyone, glad I am not being U even if I am worried about her being sick. Should I try to keep her away from other people now? That's going to be really hard for 3 weeks! And could I put anyone at risk as I've had it myself? I'm going back to work next week

OP posts:

Baconyum · 10/04/2016 04:18

Selfish friend! Your baby will likely be fine due to BF but you could speak to practice nurse or gp for reassurance.

Ibuprofen is contraindicated for chickenpox and shingles as it causes a dermal and nerve reaction which takes the infection deeper. Please don't give to anyone with either condition thought everyone knew this?)

Baconyum · 10/04/2016 04:20

Depends on your job, if you're a nurse/carer/support worker/child carer etc it might be worth checking with your boss. Different places have different rules.

Original poster

scarednoob · 10/04/2016 04:54

I 'm a lawyer - but several colleagues are currently pregnant, and no idea if they've had it. But there must be loads of people whose kids have had it and I don't remember anyone ever working from home because of it.

OP posts:

Runningupthathill82 · 10/04/2016 04:59

If you've had it yourself, it's fine for you to go back to work and just get on as usual - you can't carry it and can't pass it on, AFAIK.

As for keeping your daughter away from other people, it's a kind thought, but unworkable I would think. If everyone tried to do that after their child was in contact with someone with chickenpox, no child would ever be in nursery or school!

Just the waiting game now, I guess. With DD, we saw one spot on her forehead on the Sunday evening, and by the Monday 2am feed she was covered, top to toe.

Nectarines · 10/04/2016 07:10

My two year old caught cp, loads of spots but didn't suffer too badly. She helpfully passed it on to her eight week old brother. He is bf. He got a few spots and it was fine. Unfortunately the GP said that, as he was under three months old, there's no guarantee he won't catch it again.

escapedfrommordor · 10/04/2016 08:03

My 9 month old just had it and she's breastfed. I had hoped we'd got away with it but she came out with the spots about a week after her brothers cleared up.
Very selfish friend you have there!

YoJesse · 10/04/2016 08:11

Ds had it young whilst still Bf but was 'well' with it. Apart from the fact it looked really bad he was not feverish and was generally a happy chappy. I'd be pissed off with your friend though.

PurpleCrazyHorse · 10/04/2016 08:11

DD had chicken pox at about 3yo; I work in healthcare and had a pregnant colleague. I checked with Occi Health and they said it was fine for me to return to work while DD was still in the throws of it (I had it as a child and also knew I had the antibodies). I did let the pregnant colleague know and she checked with her MW that she had the antibodies for CP (which she did). I kept a bit of a wide berth from her though, where possible.

Mostly CP is mild but I understand your concerns. Annoying that friend didn't mention it but it's contagious from a few days before the rash appears, so your DC could catch it from anyone if they're out and about. Watch for symptoms and only use paracetamol if needed.

DD was so mild she only had 5 spots, and felt fully well. I'm a bit worried she might not have generated enough antibodies to be fully immune to it.

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