Dear Taffy:  Katherine Dettwyler has already summarized poison ivy very
accurately.  She is correct that once you have removed all the resin from
your body and your clothes (if you have a dog that wanders outdoors, make
sure he/she also gets a good bath), there is no way you can give poison
ivy to anyone.  It's not in your body, so you can't transmit any toxin
through your milk.  It's not in the fluid that seeps out of the sores,
since that's just your body's reaction to it (a delayed hypersensitivity
reaction, that's why it can take days to show up).
As for your own treatment, I don't know about calamine lotion's effects
if swallowed by your baby.  There are other soothing things you can do for
your itching, such as colloidal oatmeal baths.  Some people have such an
extensive reaction that they need to take oral steroids, such as
prednisone.  If your rash is extensive and not clearing, you may need to
get a prescription.  This is compatible with breastfeeding.  Feel better
soon, Alicia.  [log in to unmask]