Julie: Although shingles is due to the varicella-zoster virus which also causes chicken pox, there are a number of differences. First of all, this mother, unlike a mother who contracts chicken pox, already has antibodies in her bloodstream, which go to the baby through the milk. So this is very different from a mother who contracts chicken pox at term, with no prior antibodies to protect her newborn. Secondly, since shingles is only infectious by direct contact with the lesions, there is no reason for the mother to be separated from her infant as long as her lesions can be covered. If the concern is the age of the baby, since he is less than 1 month of age a shot of VZIG would probably not hurt, would just add to any maternal antibody the baby would get. Do you have references for your recommendations? Regards, Alicia.