The mom may actually have had chicken pox as a child and just not know she
had it.  Can she ask her mother?  If she indeed did not have it, she may get
a very severe case now as an adult.  She might check with her physician about
the varicella vaccination now available.
A ten month old should not have any problem with getting the chicken pox at
this age.  If mom is breastfeeding and did have chicken pox as a child the
baby should only get a mild case of it.  If not it's still better to get the
chicken pox over with now.  It's a lot easier to keep a ten mo old from
scratching than a toddler!
Cynthia D. Payne
LLL of Berkshire County Mass.