Is 14 m too young for chicken pox?

[Punchy Kaby]

My friend's kids have chicken pox, my Youngest is only 14 months, too young to expose for pox? Now would be a great time to have it, work is light. Should I take the kids over for a play date?

[LaurieG]

I had the chicken pox at 3 weeks. I believe the younger kids tend to get it less severely. That was certainly true for me as I apparently only had 2 or 3 pox. The risk is that a very minor case or in a very young child may not effectively establish life long immunity but that was not my experience. I was checked for the antibodies as an adult and am immune. I would think 14 months is old enough that this wouldn't be as big of a risk though. That's total speculation on my part, btw.

[rachelsmama]

Ds had them at 12 months and my only regret is that he was still in diapers most of the time. We do part-time EC, and he was highly motivated to use the potty while he had the pox because it was just not comfortable for him to have a wet diaper on his pox.

[CarrieMF]

My middle dd was 9months when she got them. She was covered head to toe. She has been exposed multiple times since(she's 9) & has never had another case.

Kids under the age of 2 may get them again, but it depends on the body.

My oldest was 18months when she got them.

[INF-ss]

Not a good idea.

[Marnica]

personally I don't feel comfortable purposely exposing to CP until DS can articulate how he is feeling to me. He's just over 2 now....so maybe by 3 I might do it if i had the opportunity

[INF-ss]

Originally Posted by Marnica

personally I don't feel comfortable purposely exposing to CP until DS can articulate how he is feeling to me. He's just over 2 now....so maybe by 3 I might do it if i had the opportunity

Does she have a choice?

[Punchy Kaby]

The 'opportunity' passed anyway.

[lindsayjean]

I know this is an old thread, but I wanted to reply for those who search for this later perhaps as I am snuggling my 14 month old chicken pox covered little love bug. (we got it randomly from who knows where)

There are DEFINITELY pros and cons. Honestly, this has been the worst 3 days of my life... my son got it BAD and his fever is FINALLY below the 103-105 mark. And we usually don't use fever reducers, but it was scary!! He's pretty much been screaming for 3 days straight and it sucks that he can't communicate what is wrong.

BUT a pro is that he can't really itch the bumps- the majority are under his diaper or shirt and all he really does is try to rub his face on my shoulder but otherwise does not try to itch AND it is super convenient that he is BFing since he is not eating any food and drinking little water. So he's got all those immunities helping him out!

So yeah... I personally (but i am also going through it RIGHT. NOW.) would say wait a little bit if you can. I think mine was just a wee bit too young.