Would you take your babies/children somewhere were you knew kids were sick?

[SheWillBeLoved]

In a bit of a dilemma! It is my nieces Communion in the morning, and I have just been told that she came out in the Chickenpox rash today.

DD is 9.5 months old, and has only ever had one cold at 4 months old, so I'm in a bit of a flap as to whether or not to go now! Especially after Google has told me that the virus is still infectious until all spots have scabbed up - although her doctor has given her the all clear

I'm getting my ear bent to let her go because it's 'easier for babies' and they're 'better off getting it young'... so I'm just interested in what others would do in this position really

Probably not, no. I can see why they would want you to still attend, but for me, I wouldn't want to knowingly expose my DD to a virus that could make her really ill (even though I know the chances are it will be mild!).

I would not go. Definately not.

if it was me i would probably go shes going to get it eventually so you might as well get it out the way if you feel up to it. my sisters 2 dcs had it at 1 and she was glad to get it over and done with.

I would have gone if dd was a little older. Say two or above. But you're probably right to be cautious with such a little baby.

Wouldn't go with a baby. If older than 2yrs maybe. But I think chickenpox to be avoided when they're really little. PLenty of time to get it at pre-school or school.

Bibbity - that's what I'm thinking right now. Plus she is going through hell with her teeth right now (still has none though!) and it just all seems well... a bit unnecessary to add onto her suffering. That sounds awful, but it's true. Do I want to go to a party enough to give DD Chickenpox?

I know the answer, but I still feel guilty, especially as family friends with young babies are still going..!

I have rarely felt "ready" to deal with any illness for my children and have steered clear where possible, especially when they were very young.

I don't know how medically proven this is (or how the whole immunity thing stacks up with this theory) but I've heard that babies under a year who catch chicken pox are likely to catch it again and I know a couple of people who this has happened to.

no.

kids under 2 don't necessarily get immunity. it's a complex virus. best not get it until she's 2.

i'd stay away. it's your child, your decision. don't let others pressurise you.

I wouldn't - yes she will get it at some point but I feel it's better to try and avoid it until she's old enough to understand that she's ill, if that makes sense.

You're going to get people telling you that you're being precious but as Deathstare says, you'll be the one looking after a miserable 9.5 mo.

couldn't you go to the church part (keeping away from your niece but still watching the ceremony) then just not bother to go to the party/celebration part afterwards?

I would absolutely not go.

Well we didn't go. They said they understood last night, but still gave it the "it's better to get it now" speech.

MrsRhett - I could have gone to the church, but families are always sat together, and my nephew (her brother) hasn't had it yet - so there's a good chance his spots are just waiting to come out and we'd be sat close together. I couldn't go and sit at the back telling the kids not to come near us, in a way that'd make me feel worse than not going!

Anyway, I have promised her a nice day out somewhere once she is better which she is happy about thanks for the opinions!

sorry, but it's NOT better for a baby to get chicken pox. they most likely will get it again.

my dd2 had it at 3 weeks. not nice at all. and we'll have to go through it all again, so what's the point???

i'm amazed that they can't see that.

I didn't know about the not being immune 'for life' if they get it as a baby! That's made me feel even better about not going. I've had texts all morning saying "Aw just come! DD/DS had it when they were 1 and it was so much better, glad it's over with!"

I'm actually quite shocked at the number of family/friends with young babies who don't seem bothered by this at all. One particular mutual friend of my sisters has a DS who is almost one, who is constantly sick with ear/throat/eye infections and has been on AB's for 5 months of his life and she is still taking him, and is only worried that he'll be sick on their holiday next week.

It's a big day for my Niece, but that's all it is, a day, as opposed to a week of dealing with a screaming, itchy, spotty monster who will go through it all again in school!

i think there is a misconception that getting as many illnesses builds the immune system up. it's much more complex than that. some illnesses attack the immune system leaving it weakened. it's best to try and avoid getting sick!

and AB's is another of my bug-bears. i had to stop the hospital staff pumping my very young baby full of AB's TWICE because they THOUGHT it might help. no idea what was actually wrong, just thought it couldn't do any harm. on both occasions they were wrong - AB's would not have helped at all.

i wish people would stop this knee-jerk reaction. horrible things like MRSA are getting much stronger because we're so free and easy with the AB's.

If a child gets chickenpox under the age of one, they also have a greater chance of having shingles as a child.