How to protect baby from mum's coldsores?

[Liland]

I'm 37 weeks pregnant. I've not had a coldsore flare up during the pregnancy, but I go through periods where I have 2 or 3 in a year occasionally, and usually up my nose rather than on the mouth (grim), when I'm run down etc. I've never found any cream or treatment remotely effective, so I just let them run their course these days.

I plan to exclusively breast feed (if possible), and was wondering if there are any tips beyond strict hygiene (hand washing, no kissing, not sharing towels or other fabrics, the usual) on how to protect baby from any coldsores I might develop this year? I assume it would be overkill to abandon breastfeeding for formula and hand over baby to DP for the duration of any flare up?

I'm a little concerned given the stories published in the news every now and then of babies dying from the coldsore virus... What do other women do?

I got cold sores after every baby I've had. Strict hygiene is key, you seem to have all the bases covered.

Have you tried aciclovir tablets? They really help and I didn't have a flare up for 2 years after taking a course of them. I'm unsure though if you can take them while BF.

I get coldsores, and had loads when BF-ing as I was so tired and run down. I’ve managed not to pass them on to my DC (well they’ve not shown any signs or symptoms) through practising good hygiene. So no real advice but that’s my experience.

Continuing to breastfeed is best due to all the awesome antibodies it contains (I think the only time you shouldn’t is if the cold sore is on your nipples/breast)
I get cold sores too. I use the compede patches to keep the sores covered and be very careful.

I get regular cold sores, I’m sure they are hormone related as well as when run down. So pregnancy and breastfeeding are a pretty crap combination for me!
Had loads post Dd1 and not quite as many with dd2. Neither dd has had cold sores. As others have said normal good hygiene seems key and using a cold sore cream to lessen how long they last for.

You can shed the virus even when you don't have an active cold sore so it's an idea to avoid kissing your child around the mouth area (not always easy when they're toddlers and they try to kiss you on the lips.) Be aware that is your child does catch the virus then the first case often looks much more serious than usual cold sores. My three-year-old DS had it and spread to the tissue on his cheeks as well as around the lips.

I use the compeed patches to cover any as it makes me a little paranoid, I would say they are an essential for your hospital bag!

I got about 4 in one go after my daughter was born and nicu were pleased I was wearing the patches.

I breastfed and suffered a run of really bad coldsores after having my baby. You'll be fine if you follow good hygiene practices. Keep your hands clean and no kissing baby, I'm sure you already know all of that.

My HV did recommend looking into a diet with high lysine low arginine content. I did a bit of research and ended up buying a lysine supplement. It's been 2 years now and I only get a coldsore when I don't take the supplement. As it's an amino acid naturally occuring in foods it's safe to take and it's the best things I've ever tried with regard to preventing the blighters.

Thanks for all the responses!

I haven't tried acyclovir, but if/when I get my next flare up, I'll definitely see if the Dr is open to trying that.

I'll also look into these compede patches - I often wake up with a coldsore with no prior warning at all, so it'd be good to have something in the house already on hand.

We've actually discussed mouth kissing already and decided it's not really our thing with baby, so we'll already be avoiding that.

Also bear in mind that the worst possible case for baby is when mother does not have coldsores and catches them for the first time in pregnancy/shortly after birth, so that baby is exposed and has not had any maternal antibodies passed on to them. Your antibodies won't stop your baby getting cold sores from you if exposed, so good hygiene is still important, but they will help a bit.

Also have coldsores and so far (DS is 6), DS and DP have never caught them from me. I am scrupulous about covering with Compeed patch and also extra careful for 8 days after I get one, as apparently they shed more even after starting to heal up.

Could you see the GP before you get the next flair up? Just because Aciclovir is most effective the sooner you start taking it - literally at the first tingle. You might be able to buy it at a pharmacy (very possibly not but perhaps worth checking)