Jan
I have read the posts on your question over the last couple of days, and offer this anecdote to add to your collection.
My youngest child became very ill with complications of chicken pox at 5 months of age, exclusively breastfed.  He developed a secondary strep infection through a pock on his arm, and became septicaemic, with cellulitis and osteomyelitis of the arm, and scarlet fever.  He was treated with IV penicillin.
I have antibodies to chicken pox.  I was told at the time that the antibodies to chicken pox are transferred via the placenta, and they have disappeared by about 5 months. 
His case of chicken pox was probably mild, but his father had a nasty strep throat at the same time.
Hope this helps
Joy Johnston, FACM IBCLC
Midwife and Lactation Consultant
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www.webrider.net.au/~aitex/joy.htm


-----Original Message-----
From:   janaken [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
Sent:   Saturday, April 04, 1998 11:13 AM
Subject:        Chicken pox  question?

If a mother had chicken pox when she was a  child  and now has  breastfed
her infant, does she pass on any antibodies to protect her infant  child
who now has been exposed to chicken pox?
I would think the infant may get the chicken pox but perhaps a mild case?
The infant is 4 months old.
TIA
Jan Aken RN IBCLC
mailto:[log in to unmask]