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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Original poster

Extended breastfeeding - chicken pox immunity?

29 replies

FrannyandZooey · 21/02/2006 18:08

Chicken pox is going around here, and I wondered whether ds will still have immunity via the antibodies in my breastmilk, or does that only apply to young babies? He's 2.10.

I am not bothered if he gets it or not, me and dp were just curious.

OP posts:
teabags · 21/02/2006 18:28

Well, when discussing MMR with my GP she said that given I had BF for a while I could probably give DS the MMR towards the end of the recommended time for giving it as he would have my immunity. But if there was say a measles outbreak in the area she recommended he have the MMR asap.

Original poster
FrannyandZooey · 21/02/2006 18:33

I should have been more specific actually, he is still breastfed now. Will he still be getting antibodies from me, anyone know?

OP posts:
teabags · 21/02/2006 18:35

yes, although whether enough to give him complete immunity I don't know

lockets · 21/02/2006 18:37

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Gem13 · 21/02/2006 18:42

DS got it while fully breastfed at 7 months. He was ok with it though although he was covered.

Original poster
FrannyandZooey · 21/02/2006 20:14

Ok, looks like immunity is patchy at best. Interesting subject, though. Anyone know where I could read more about it? (nothing too technical)

OP posts:
Posey · 21/02/2006 20:17

Ds got it at 15 months while still b/f and had it terribly
At least its over with. Dd was 7 and quite poorly.

PiccadillyCircus · 21/02/2006 20:18

In DDs case being breastfed didn't make any difference to her getting chicken pox when she was about 6 weeks. And she was quite spotty.

Bozza · 21/02/2006 20:24

DD was 5 months, fully breastfed, no formula or solids and had a much worse case than 3yo DS. Would not be put down at all for 3 nights. She was such a miserable little thing. And I definitely had cp as a child.

Chandra · 21/02/2006 21:48

No, I don't thing BF will protect her against that, I got measles while I was being breastfeed (at 2-3m old)

hercules · 21/02/2006 22:32

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Em32 · 22/02/2006 10:14

Wouldn't have thought he's being bf enough to give enough immunity. They should be protected by your antibodies passed on prior birth until 6 months then after that if still bf they have partial immunity until about a year old. They can still catch it though at any point as my friend who is a GP has seen cases in fully bf babies under 6 months (usually mild so they can catch it again later unfortunately)

RedZuleika · 22/02/2006 10:18

F&Z: to be honest, at 2.10, I'd be actively encouraging him to get it. Find a sufferer, sit him down next to them and tell him he's not coming home until he feels ill!

I say this as someone who got it in their late 20s. Absolutely no fun at all.

Chandra · 22/02/2006 16:46

DS got it a few weeks ago (he is going to be 3 this week) and... it was viscious he has more than 100 deep marks left around his body, luckily only 2 on the face. I so much wish I had know about chickenpox vaccines before, my nephew had them and got only about 8 spots each! (and two marks)

Chandra · 22/02/2006 16:46

DS got it a few weeks ago (he is going to be 3 this week) and... it was viscious he has more than 100 deep marks left around his body, luckily only 2 on the face. I so much wish I had know about chickenpox vaccines before, my nephew had them and got only about 8 spots each! (and two marks)

PeachyClair · 22/02/2006 17:42

DS3 got chickenpox at 3 months whilst fully bf. The HV looked at him and said ' Hmm, immune deficiency? HIV?' (cow) but actually no, just chickenpox. He had it pretty badly too, almost admitted to hospital with high temperature, but given that ds 1 and 2 had it there wasn't chance of escaping it.

at thoughtless friend who knew her daughter had it, not for ds 1 and 2 but exposing a 3 month old...

Worst news was according to GP, chickenpox before 1 year doesn't necessarily give lifelong immunity- he amy get it again.

Original poster
FrannyandZooey · 22/02/2006 17:48

RZ, yes, I agree, and would probably have gone down that route if it weren't for the fact it is one of his best friends' birthday party next week. I will definitely be exposing him / not worrying about it next time - it is ridiculous as we are avoiding half our friends as they have it, whereas the other half are avoiding us because we might have it!

OP posts:
RedZuleika · 22/02/2006 19:55

Chandra: I've heard that you're more likely to get shingles with the chickenpox vaccine. Don't know how true this is, but something to look into before doing it. We've considered it for my husband, who hasn't had it (and there's really something to look forward to).

Mercy · 22/02/2006 20:06

ds had chicken pox at about 5 weeks which coincided with his first full check up with the paediatrician. She was said b/feeding does not give immunity to it or other childhood diseases.

She said it can help prevent asthma, eczema, diabetes and colds etc.

Are you confusing it with Rubella?

hercules · 22/02/2006 20:07

Thinking about it dh got chicken pox when dd was a week old and she never got it.

Em32 · 23/02/2006 09:56

FrannyandZooey ds would have been ok for his friend's party as incubation for chickenpox is 10 - 21 days (and usually hits around 14 days). It is infectious 48 hours before the first spot comes out and droplet spread so a child can be spreading it round well before you know they've got it. (Husband a Dr not just made up!)

smellymelly · 23/02/2006 10:09

I have breast fed all 4, dd1 got bronchilitus and 3 months and ds2 at 4 months... so do not believe in immunity unless it is a bug which you have while you are bf. Still bf dd2 and ds2 but have cold after cold, they are 14 moonths.

smellymelly · 23/02/2006 10:09

oh and dd1 got chicken pox at 6 months while being bf

smellymelly · 23/02/2006 10:11

peachy - you had a hv who said that? that is awful

And I was told chicken pox before a year would mean it is poss to get again, but dd1 had a good dose so we will have to wait and see.

stripey · 23/02/2006 10:30

Ds1 who was bf got chickenpox when he was 2.5, I caught it at the same time. Ds2 who was fully bottlefed didn't catch it from either of us.

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