Shingles and young baby

[BlackKittyKat]

Sorry - posting for traffic.

I have just been diagnosed with shingles. I am breastfeeding my 4 month old and also have a 3 year old.

AIBU to ask, if you had shingles when you had babies/young children did they get chickenpox?

Just wondering what the chances are...

(I know iabu - no-one can predict if my children will get chickenpox)

Thanks everyone. Mixed response there as to whether they are likely to get it.

I'm in South West London. I've had a ring round but not found anywhere offering the vaccine at the moment.

I know they might get a mild version, if they do catch it, but I'm just of the opinion that if I can prevent it with the vaccine then it's worth it.

Both my children got chicken pox from me two weeks after I had shingles. They were 7 & 4. Was not a fun summer holidays! But at least they got it at the same time. A friend of mine was stuck inside for most of the summer holidays one year as all 3 of her children got it one after the other!

I had shingles when my youngest was 9 months and eldest was 2 and unfortunately they both got chickenpox a week after the shingles rash appeared, the eldest got it first so I’m not sure if he picked it up at nursery and passed it on to his sister? Mine was also on a breast and I had to cover the area with a muslin when feeding as youngest wouldn’t take a bottle at all. Hopefully your children can avoid it! I was also planning to get both kids the vaccine but as it’s live, wouldn’t have done this until the youngest was 1.

If you have had chicken pox then exclusive breastfeeding does protect babies but for a set amount of time. My Lactation consultant said it would be until the time you get your periods and even then only if you are exclusively breastfeeding .

That's interesting Grumpy
I am exclusively breastfeeding. That would be great if my littlest avoided it.

Any sign of the pox?

Not yet!

I'm really hoping we will be in the clear.

I've finished my anti-viral meds and my rash has gone. I've just got some lingering skin sensitivity.

I'm still on spot watch but I'm hopeful.