Would a nursing child get chicken pox?

[newmum35]

If a child is still nursing and exposed to Chicken Pox:

a) will child still get CP?

b) will immunity acquired to CP be permanent or will child need to be re-exposed at a later date?



(this is assuming the mother has had chicken pox in the past and thus, has natural immunity)

I was reading some past threads on CP and one poster touched on this (saying a nursing child with CP would need to be rexposed at a later date) and I'm having some doubts. I've never heard this. Does it even make sense? Is there any evidence to back this up?

[beckyand3littlemonsters]

My dd. caitlin got cp. at 10 months and she was breastfed, a friend of mines little boy got cp. at 2 months and he was breastfed.

not sure if immunity is permanent, i had cp. as a child and haven't had it agin since, but i know children who have had it 3 times.

to me that doesn't make any sense it's like saying breastfeeding effects the bodies ability to become immune to the infection once caught. i think wether bf or not catching cp. will or won't make you immune it's just the luck of the draw, to me it's like when dr.'s say you "can only cp. once" or if someone does they will say "it's very rare to get it more than once" a lot kids around here have had it more than once.

[pianojazzgirl]

When dd was 10 months old (and breastfed, eating small amount of solids) dh got chicken pox. At the time it was boiling hot summer and we lived in a small apartment. Dh spent a few days very sick, lying on a mattress under the ceiling fan in the living room. Dd spent a LOT of time crawling all over him. She did not get CP. I remember reading that until the age of 1(ish) it is likely that they will still be protected from maternal antibodies received in vitro and through breastmilk. But then again the pp knows two babies who got it even though breastfed, so it's obviously not a hard and fast rule!

[newmum35]

Very interesting, different experiences. Would like to hear more if anyone has others to share. And please also include those in 2-3 yr old.. Anyone here do extended breastfeeding and have experience with CP in your toddler/young child? Curious about that too.

As far as catching CP more than once, I haven't known anyone in my life. Everyone in my generation (and my parents, and before) in my family (which is pretty huge) have only gotten it once and that was as babies or small children.

[kiwiva]

My DD got it from a child (18 mos or so) who was breastfeeding. DD was 2.5 when she got it and was breastfeeding. I haven't had chicken pox and don't show immune on titers though I was vaccinated twice in the last 10 or so years.

[mamafish9]

I think the answer depends on a lot of factors:

1) mama's immunity levels - were you vaccinated, or did you have CP, and how long ago

2) how much is the babe nursing, and how old are they - a 2yo who nurses a few times a day will get very different immunities from a 3mo who is ebf

I know children can get a mild case (so *somewhat*) protected by mama's immunities. And *some* of those children won't have full protection and may get CP if exposed again. My midwife (also an NP) said basically there's not much point trying to expose them under a year old, they're much less likely to get a full blown case and then full immunity. Doesn't mean it can't happen, but that was her advice.

[zinemama]

My 7mo caught chickenpox from his brother. When his brother came down with it, I asked the ped if there was any chance the baby wouldn't get it too, and was told, not a chance. So I wasn't surprised.

I have never heard that a nursing child would get less than full immunity. This makes no sense.

I got chickenpox at 8 months. I was nursed. I have full immunity.

[azdesertrn]

My DD got a full blown case at 17 months old- still breastfeeding. (purposely exposed to it) She was pretty well covered with spots so I wouldn't call it a mild case.

I think with more of the population vaccinated we may see more people get it as adults since they won't have repeated exposures to wild chicken pox to boost their immunity every few years. (also more shingles outbreaks for the same reason)

If it comes around again, I will likely expose DD again in a few years to boost her immunity- I won't expect her to get it again, but the repeat exposure should help her body continue to make antibodies. I'm sure my exposure to her while she was sick gave my immune system a nice boost.

[RasJi7]

I had CP at age 7 or so. I was diagnosed with Shingles, which I was told was a reocurrence of chicken pox, this was last year. At the time my son was around 1 yrs old. He was nursing, we bathed together and played together all day. I was told he could get CP this way but he didnt.

[newmum35]

Originally Posted by mamafish9

I think the answer depends on a lot of factors:

1) mama's immunity levels - were you vaccinated, or did you have CP, and how long ago

2) how much is the babe nursing, and how old are they - a 2yo who nurses a few times a day will get very different immunities from a 3mo who is ebf

I know children can get a mild case (so *somewhat*) protected by mama's immunities. And *some* of those children won't have full protection and may get CP if exposed again. My midwife (also an NP) said basically there's not much point trying to expose them under a year old, they're much less likely to get a full blown case and then full immunity. Doesn't mean it can't happen, but that was her advice.

This is interesting, and this is why I asked. So does this mean a "mild case" does not confer lifetime immunity? It lasts just a number of years for example (similar to vaccine) and then wears off? Can you provide anything to back this up

I'm interested to find out whether my son (aged 2.5) if exposed to CP, would get a full blown case or a "mild" case (or none at all). He is still nursing but also drinks cows milk during the day. He nurses mostly at night and naptime. total # per day about 5 (3 at night, twice around naptime) - I have never had CP vaccine myself of course, it didn't come out until I was an adult. I had the virus as an infant (not breastfed) which I caught from my older siblings when they went to school and caught it there, and I was exposed again in 1995 when my 3 nephews had it and I babysat them. I may have been exposed other times, but not to my knowledge. So I'm good on the ("natural") boosters but I wouldn't mind another when my son gets it of course

So for those of you who chose to expose your lo to CP did you prefer to do it while still nursing (so they'd have a more mild case) or afterwards? (so they'd be sure to get permanent immunity)?

[expatmommy]

Originally Posted by newmum35

If a child is still nursing and exposed to Chicken Pox:

a) will child still get CP?

b) will immunity acquired to CP be permanent or will child need to be re-exposed at a later date?



(this is assuming the mother has had chicken pox in the past and thus, has natural immunity)

My eldest dd got the CP at 8 months, when she was almost exclusively breastfeeding & eating less then 2 tbsp of solid food/day. Her CP were everywhere & very painful for her.

My other children got the CP when she was 8. Both of the other kids had fairly major cases & she remained CP free. Based on this, I am assuming she has immunity.

I had chicken pox as an adult, a couple of years before dd was conceived, also a very major painful case.

[zinemama]

I didn't choose to expose my nursing 8mo to chickenpox. It just happened. I never assumed he would get a mild case because of the nursing. And he didn't. He got the full blown pox, just like I did at the same age. I see no reason to assume he is not fully immune, just like I am.

[funkymamajoy]

My sister had cp while still nursing at 14 months old. She had a much more mild case then the rest of us, who were 5 and 7. She did not get immunity from it.

[mamafish9]

I think what this thread shows is the diversity of results that are possible . Not everyone will get the same result - and one person's experience doesn't necessarily generalize.

Here's some info from Kellymom - says the best immunity comes from placental transfer when the babe is born, and lasts 6-8 months. Immunity through breastmilk is less, and won't completely protect a little one any more.

I'd guess there is some natural variation in how long placental immunity lasts, how much immunity is passed through breastmilk, etc. But for the OP, for a 2.5 year old only nursing 3-5 times a day, I'd guess you're going to get pretty "normal" chickenpox.

[FireWithin]

I had a very mild case as an infant and then a regular one as a toddler. At least I am thinking toddler because I don't have a memory of it.
I had a titer last year and I am immune.

[newmum35]

Originally Posted by zinemama

I have never heard that a nursing child would get less than full immunity. This makes no sense.

I got chickenpox at 8 months. I was nursed. I have full immunity.

Yeah, to be honest, it makes no sense to me either. Because I know for some illnesses it is known that even asymptomatic infection produces full and permanent immunity- even though no symptoms at all are present. So why would chicken pox be any different? I do believe a mild case probably would give full immunity. But I admit I'm also confused why some people seem to catch it again (although I've never known anyone personally to- have only read this online) I wonder if the # of years between exposures has anything to do with it. Maybe this is something we are meant to be exposed to more often to keep immunity from waning (a "natural" booster)

[Peony]

Originally Posted by mamafish9

I think what this thread shows is the diversity of results that are possible . Not everyone will get the same result - and one person's experience doesn't necessarily generalize.

Here's some info from Kellymom - says the best immunity comes from placental transfer when the babe is born, and lasts 6-8 months. Immunity through breastmilk is less, and won't completely protect a little one any more.

I'd guess there is some natural variation in how long placental immunity lasts, how much immunity is passed through breastmilk, etc. But for the OP, for a 2.5 year old only nursing 3-5 times a day, I'd guess you're going to get pretty "normal" chickenpox.

This. It is what I have always seen shown in research. I exposed DD2 when she was 17 months, she got it at 18m, had a full blown case, and she was nursing a ton still. The immunity that a baby gets only lasts for 6ish months and then yes, the immunity through the BM is much less. I think have seen numbers somewhere, in one of my lactation textbooks probably, I do remember that it really isn't going to prevent toddlers, etc... from getting CP.