Is it safe to breastfeed during chickenpox?

Question

Hi doctor,

I am 22 years old, and I am a mother of a four-month-old baby. Recently, I have gotten infected with chicken pox.

Does breast milk transfer chicken pox to the baby?
Do I need to take special care of my baby?
Can I breastfeed now?
Does it affect my child?

Please help.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

A mother who contracts chickenpox can breastfeed. Any vesicles present on the breast should be covered to minimize the risk of transmission. There is no evidence showing the presence of the varicella-zoster virus (Chickenpox) in breastmilk. Hence, breastfeeding is safe. Breast milk does not transfer chickenpox to the baby.

The doctor may prescribe Acyclovir 800 mg five times a day if consulted within 24 hours of rash onset. It reduces the time to have full crusting of lesions and reduces the number of lesions. Acyclovir can be taken during breastfeeding; it is safe. Keep your nails short to minimize the damage from scratching.

I hope that this answers your query.

Kindly follow up if you have more doubts.

Thank you.