These are the Norwegian routines relating to chickenpox (varicella) and
babies.

The only babies we need to worry about getting chickenpox are the ones who
are immune-suppressed for some reason, and the ones who are born less than
two days after their mothers have broken out in chickenpox, or whose mothers
break out in chickenpox less than five days after giving birth.  These are
the only babies who are believed to have insufficient passive immunity from
their mothers to handle a primary varicella infection.

If mother has had chickenpox more than three days before starting labor, it
is believed that her antibodies will be enough for the baby from birth on.

If the mother breaks out in chickenpox more than five days after giving
birth, the baby is believed to be able to handle the infection, which
normally causes a self-limiting and trivial though uncomfortable illness.

Immunoglobulin specific for varicella is usually given to babies born in the
one-week window delineated above.

In all cases, breastfeeding should continue uninterrupted.
Rachel Myr
Kristiansand, Norway

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