To go to playgroup- chicken pox exposure

[AnotherJaffaCakePlease]

My 3 year old has had chicken pox, we are on day 8 now and crusted over so he is fine to go out.

However I also have a 6 month old baby (breastfed and I have had CP as a child). It is impossible to keep them apart so it seems inevitable the baby will catch it.

I was hoping we could go back to our usual playgroups this week and little sports club for my 3yo but now I am second guessing myself.

As baby may now be incubating chicken pox, would you avoid playgroups etc.? I am aware there are tiny babies attending and so close to Christmas I'd hate for my baby to pass it on. But is that an overreaction as baby doesn't have it now?

Your baby might not get it as they could get immunity from you if breastfeeding. My one year old had it and my newborn didn't get it.

Yabu so close to christmas. Not fair on other families. Chicken pox can make kids really unwell.

It’s too close to Christmas imo. I wouldn’t want to risk other little ones being ill, more so than ever at this time of year.

My 3 year old caught chicken pox, my breastfed 1 year old (it was her birthday week) didn't. I kept checking for weeks, but not a single spot. I too was nervous about taking her to playgroups as I didn't want to expose any of the little babies. It didn’t happen for us, though.

I think with being so close to Christmas, I wouldn't this time but in my experience breastfed babies do often seem to have immunity so might not get it. Get the cabin fever element though, I would try and do some days out that are a bit more outdoors perhaps or just avoid close quarters with other kids if you can.

I would avoid baby groups if possible, even with crusted over spots and in case your baby is incubating chickenpox. If the crusts fall off sometimes they weap. You will also get some dirty looks from people with their PFB's if your DS has crusty spots. It's so close to Christmas and all the winter viruses are doing the rounds as well. It's likely that your DS will pick something else up as his immune system will be weakened by fighting off the chicken pox. Have a couple of weeks off and enjoy doing Xmas things together. Try and do some outside things if DS has cabin fever. Waterproofs and wellies at the park. Visit a variety of parks. Woodland walks. Outside light trails.

I agree with this- we just waited it out for a couple of weeks.. plus, turning up with your ds full of scabs will probably scare quite a few parents and you may end up feeling uncomfortable anyway. If they did then end up with chickenpox at Christmas time, it may make for an awkward return to the group in the new year!

Don't mix indoors. Breastfeeding doesn't stop the baby getting CP and it can be quite severe in some children. My 6 month old caught it from older sibling and was very ill, ended up in hospital for 5 nights, strep and staph infection with abscesses. I wouldn't wish that on anyone.