Chicken pox - newborn

[Imperialleathers]

Hi everyone.

I'm going to seek medical advice tomorrow but I'm wondering if anyone has been through the same. So my 6 year old has been unwell for a couple of days ( cold like symptoms) and today has come out in a loads of spots. 99% sure it's chicken pox. I have a 3 week old baby, who has caught the cold from her but been okay otherwise. I've read online that chickenpox can be very dangerous in newborns so I am worried sick. I have kept them away from each other as much as I can but with them living together it's inevitable, they will come into contact with each other.

I'm so worried my newborn will get seriously sick. I'm partially breastfeeding (low supply) and I had chickenpox as a child so definitely have immunity.

Briefly - this is not medical advice and anyone in this position or similar should seek specific medical advice in relation to their particular situation.

Since you yourself have had chickenpox and your baby is so young, they should have some protection from catching it from their sibling (even if you weren't partially breastfeeding; and well done for doing what you are able). The most worrying chickenpox in newborns is when it is caught from their mother - ie their mother is also having it for the first time. That would be an urgent hospital based advice situation.

If your baby does develop any signs of chickenpox - a fever or rash or really anything new now - then at that point you should seek advice as a matter of urgency; my impression is that antiviral treatment would probably be offered.

So, as long as your baby really is well, your plan to seek medical advice tomorrow is a good one. But calling earlier than that if you have any doubts at all is very reasonable.

I had a similar situation, DC1 came down with chicken pox when DC2 was 10 days old!

It was a worrying time but my community midwife said that as I'd had it as a child some of my immunity would have passed to baby as they were so young and I was breastfeeding too. They didn't catch it from DC1 which was a relief.

As PP said you're doing the right thing seeking medical advice tomorrow if baby is well.