My baby is 16 weeks old, i am breast feeding will he be okay to catch chicken pox? or is it dangerous?

Question

My friends children have chicken pox and because my two older boys have already had the chicken pox and the baby hasn't i wanted to see if i could get him to catch the chicken pox while he is young and less likely to scratch etc., or even be aware that he is going through it. But because i am breast feeding i am unsure if the milk from me will keep him immune. But then i was wondering if he did catch it would it be dangerous. He is due his 3rd set of imms on 18th too so not sure whether the chicken pox would affect him worse if he had the injections.

Answer 1

While I normally loathe those "see ur pediatrition(sic)!" answers, on this one -- seriously, ask your doctor about the risk/reward ratio involved in deliberately exposing your baby.

Breast milk won't keep him immune. One of my little brothers had chicken pox as a (breastfed) young baby.

I remember it as being a particularly rotten time for the whole family. He was so covered with bumps he looked like a stippled ceiling, and he was clearly miserable. Something to keep in mind.

Answer 2

I had the same concern about my baby because chicken pox had been in my 6 week old babies daycare. But if you have had chicken pox, the baby will get your immunities. Ask a doctor. Good for you for breast feeding btw - I never knew how hard it was until I did it!

Answer 3

Chicken pox can be dangerous in babies, talk to your pediatrician. And no one has mentioned that they have a vaccine for that now. It works. My youngest had the vaccine and when my other 2 got chicken pox (at the same time) they had it bad. My youngest ended up with 4 spots. I know a lot of people are against vaccines so talk to your doctor about the issue.

Answer 4

Hi, when my kids got chicken pox my baby was only 5 weeks old, she was fine but i used plenty of calamine lotion (not sure how its spelt), if he has got them then your doctors might not give him the jabs till he is over them. Do use scratch mits though as my daughter managed to scratch and has a little scar on her forehead.

I'm not sure about the breastfeeding part as i couldn't breast feed, just be careful you don't get shingles (adult form of chicken pox)

Answer 5

My son caught chicken pox from his siblings when he was 4 months old. He had a very mild case, but his 2 year old brother was extremely poorly with it and had to have antibiotics and other medication. I was also breast feeding.

I wouldn't advise doing it deliberately as no one can predict how it will affect them, but if he did catch it then his injections would have to be postponed.

Answer 6

My first Christmas I was a little over 6 months old. And I caught the chicken pox. My mother got me a snowsuit because I was scratching at it so bad it was bleeding. No I don't remember it but I still have scars.

Answer 7

No, don't expose a young infant to the chicken pox. I could see if he was older, at least a toddler. His immune system may not be able to handle it all. Steer clear for a while.

Answer 8

My son had the chicken pox at 4 months old and it was not a big deal to me or my son. He did not get the chicken pox severly, so he might get them again when he is older.

Answer 9

He's way too young! The chicken pox is a dangerous illness for him! Why not get the vaccine so he doesn't have to get it at all?

Answer 10

Chicken pox is more dangerous in older people, in children it is generally a mild disease. Our three children, my wife and I and my three brothers have had it. We are all still here! If your child was asthmatic or weak in any way It would be wise to take precautions.