anyone's baby had chicken pox?

[nicewarmslippers]

My ds is 4 months (and big and healthy). We were planning to spend this weekend with a friend whose 3 year old now has Chickenpox. My dd (also 3) had it at 2 and was fine and I am glad she had it young but when is too young? it is OK to expose ds (4 months) now?

It would be okay I guess, but some people say that if they get it very young, the immunity doesn't last. I have no idea how true this is.

Ds had it at about 9 months iirc. He was fine, had a very mild dose. Your ds might still have some immunity from you if you're immune so if he does catch it, it might be a mild dose. Does your friend's 3 year old have the spots? Have they crusted over? If so then it's no longer infectious anyway so you may get away with it.

Quick question - are you BFing? This would give more immunity if so.

It is often said (don't know if its true though) that if a child has chicken pox under 1 they aren't immune and would probably get it again. That said, the babies I know that have had it, have had it very mildly.

Yes, ds got it at 3mo when I was exclusively bf - caught it at a coffee morning. It took a long time to diagnose ds as everyone discounted chicken pox as he was bf - until on day 5 of illness went to the out of hours doctor and then managed to find one spot that was 'distinctive' which made them definitely diagnose cp. But it wasn't too bad.

Re Wheelybugs comments - the nursery ds went to had regular outbreaks of cp with up to 12 of the children in his group off - he hasn't got it again, and that has probably topped up his immunity too.

dd2 had it at 8 months - just after her older sister. She was covered in spots.

I have heard (no idea if this is reliable) that it can be "dangerous" for a small baby under 1 year to catch it, it is best avoided.

Tbh if your friend's 3 year old has it now, by the weekend he/she will probably not contagious. Apparently after 5 days, or after the spots scab over (whichever happens first) the child will no longer be contagious.

good old mumsnet! thanks for replies, yes exlusively bfing and i havr had it, all in all sound like it will be ok as the other kid will be less infectious anyway by then

thanks!