2 week old newborn… chicken pox?

[Weebeastiebaby]

hi, I have 3 children age 7, 4 and a newborn who is 2 weeks old. My 4 year old currently has what is quite obviously chicken pox although he doesn’t seem unwell he has a large number of spots and is a little tired. My 7 year old currently doesn’t have any spots but I imagine he will soon as they share a bedroom. My main worry is my newborn who (as far as we know) doesn’t have any health issues but who has been around her brother since she arrived, he loves to hold and kiss her. Since his spots have appeared I’ve tried to keep them apart but Obviously this is difficult as my 4 year old is young and needs to be around me too and I know chicken pox is highly contagious even before any spots. I’ve had chicken pox as a child and am exclusively breastfeeding baby so am hopeful some immunity will be passed on but I can’t seem to find much information about this. Saw midwife today who said she’s never heard of a newborn with chicken pox and “if she gets it she gets it”
has anyone had a newborn who has caught chicken pox? Were they ok and how severe was the infection? I am feeling so worried about her.

I would get some advice from a midwife/health visitor as very young to get it yes normally doesn't cause issues but at that young I would want a bit of advice.

My newborn was 4 weeks old when he started getting sport having caught chicken pox off his older brother. (He was 2 weeks old when he had it). We took him to hospital as a precaution but they said he had a mild case and he probably wouldn't even know he had them. They told us to get him back if his feeding drops significantly or has difficulty breathing. He was absolutely fine and was spotty for a few weeks. Hope this helps. If you are worried call 111 xx

*spotty not sport!

Hi, I found the first spot on my eldest son (4) the day I brought his brother home from hospital at 2 days old. Within 2 weeks both my other son who was 18 months and my newborn had chicken pox. My newborn however literally got 3 spots and didn’t seem phased at all. I was so worried and phoned a GP (height of covid so couldn’t see face to face) they said that very little babies tend to get it mildly but then tend to catch a “proper” dose of it in coming years. Like a trial run! He’s now 2.5 and no sign of the pox returning yet!

My 9 week old caught it at 5 weeks from his older sibling. I was exclusively breastfeeding but was really worried. He was a bit cranky but only got about 6 pox spots. Mostly on his head. They healed really quickly.

From everything I read about the subject, it should be fine as they have immunity from you (if you had it as a child) and breastfeeding boosts that immunity. The main worry is watching for a temperature.

However, I read mixed things about babies 4 weeks and under. (We were just at the cut off at 5 weeks) I would call 111 to be safe.

My daughter caught it at a few weeks old from my DS. The same as you, I'd had it as a child and was BF. She caught it very mildly wane wasn't bothered by it. The MW/HV (I can't remember which it was) said that she'd probably catch it again but nothing so far (despite friends catching it) and she's nearly 8.

On the other hand my 6 week old didn't get it when his older brother had chicken pox. He was only 1 at the time and absolutely covered head to toe in spots! Good luck, hope it is mild and not too contagious!