8 week old with chickenpox kisses

[leslieinnola]

I have a very sweet, affectionate and slobbery 3 year old that just came down with the chickenpox. He had fever a few days ago, which is when he became contagious, and no matter how hard I try, he just won't keep his hands and mouth off of his 8 week old sister. My husband is out of town and I'm new to the neighborhood, so I have no ability to separate them. My googling is terrifying me-- chickenpox can be fatal to newborns?! My daughter is exclusively breasted and I had them as a kid, so I guess she has some immunity. Still, I'm very nervous as I know that she has been exposed already.

Does anyone have experience with this? Thanks.

[TiredX2]

There really is nothing you can do at this time.  It is unlikely your 8 week old will get the chickenpox (between your immunity, her young age and the breastfeeding).  At this point all you can do is hope for the best.

I was from a family of 9 and only one of my siblings had chicken pox as an infant.  My mom says he had one of the worst cases, but he was fine.  The vast majority of children who get chicken pox *are* fine.

[zinemama]

I'm going to disagree with the pp. Yes, it's true that there is very little you can do at this point. But I think it's quite possible that your baby will get chickenpox. I had a 3yo with CP and an exclusively bf 7mo. The baby caught it (he was fine). I had it as an infant, myself. I'd check in with your doc, though.

[TiredX2]

Originally Posted by zinemama 

I'm going to disagree with the pp. Yes, it's true that there is very little you can do at this point. But I think it's quite possible that your baby will get chickenpox. I had a 3yo with CP and an exclusively bf 7mo. The baby caught it (he was fine). I had it as an infant, myself. I'd check in with your doc, though.

I'm sorry, but to clarify... it is less likely for very young infants to catch diseases their mother is immune to. From what I understand that immunity slowly decreases (as their own immunity takes over).  I did not mean to imply that a young infant CANNOT catch a disease their parent is immune to, just that they are less likely.  I also had two breastfeeding children catch chickenpox, so I *know* they can do it--- just everything I have read suggests that they  have a *lower* likelyhood.