[angielackner]

I just finished a breast feeding class in prep for our new arrival in a month or so, and got some info that i thought i'd share. i asked the question whether or not food intolerances/avoiding certain foods would affect the nutrients that our baby would get through breast milk. they wont by the way....but what we did learn through the instructor's reference book is that people with celiac should breast feed exclusively for as long as possible, and ideally hold off on even introducing solids/other foods for up to 8 months if possible vs. the normal 5-6 months. this helps lessen the chances of the baby getting celiac or other similar problems. i figured that was good to know...i will definitely be bringing that up to our pediatrician when we meet him in a week or so just thought i'd share.

angie

[MySuicidalTurtle]

The only thing I see wrong with what you're saying is that someone can't "get" Celiac Disease. The rest is right on though.

[Fiddle-Faddle]

If you're planning to breastfeed, that's wonderful! Best for you, best for baby--in every way!

The best advice I ever got was when my sister-in-law told me to ask for the lactation consultant (they have them at every hospital) BEFORE there was a problem. Keep in mind that the doctors (pediatricians AND ObGYNs) usually know next to nothing about breastfeeding. One of the pediatricians we saw did more to screw up nursing than I thought humanly possible.

With your first baby, your milk is likely to come in more slowly than with subsequent babies, so the suggested schedule of nursing every 2-3 hours during the first couple of weeks very likely won't be enough to start your milk supply. The lactation consultants know this; the MDs do NOT. Apparently, they don't teach lactation in medical school, or else the info is given to them by formula companies. The nurses don;t know, either--I had one scold me for nursing my second baby "too often." She actually told me to make him wait for 2 hours. I asked her if she would like to teach him to tell time! But I ended up in tears until the lactation consultant came in and told me that the more often I fed the baby, the earlier and more plentifully my milk would come in, and that the nurse didn't know what she was talking about.

With my first baby, I dutifully followed a 2-3 hour nursing schedule like they told me, pumping when the baby wouldn't wake up to nurse--and my millk didn't come in til the 5th day, by which time my baby was getting dehydrated. The answer was NOT to supplement with formula, but to nurse more often--every hour to hour-and-a-half.

I know that sounds insane and impossible, but it does work. And it's actually a good way of getting a LOT more rest ("Sorry, honey, I can't get dinner ready because I have to feed the baby...") Pacifiers and supplemental bottles are THE fastest way to lower your milk supply. Pacifiers are probably hard to avoid if your baby is in day care,but, by the time your baby is in daycare, your milk supply is (hopefully) well-established.

The bottom line is, the doctors know about as much about breastfeeding as they know about celiac. Thankfully, there are lactation consultants and also the LaLeche League. Some of the LaLeche League Leaders are a little overbearing, but I think this is because they are so frustrated with the doctors and nurses who know so little about breastfeeding. Just like celiac, after a while you feel like your only dialog with the doctors involves banging your head on the brick wall that they have become.

[mommida]

Please read up on breastfeeding or take a class before you give birth (if possible).
The nurse that came in and tried to tell me how to breast feed, was nasty. It was better to have her leave, or I was going to kill her. She did not tell me anything helpful and was not a lactation consultant. If the hospital is too busy or understaffed you may be on your own.
Laura

[KayJay]

We are going through this right now. Maddie was having problems tolerating any foods so the GI doctor told me to just nurse her until she is 8+ months. The reason is because all babies have a leaky gut. That is how they absorb nutrition. Well, most of their guts begin to heal at 3-4 months of age. My baby and maybe yours is healing slowly. So when she has solids it irritates her gut leaks and irritates the intestines. Never giving them a chance to heal. By exclusively breastfeeding you will allow time for the gut to seal and hopefully it will delay if not prevent the onset of Celiac of other allergies.

[TeachK71]

Here is something that sort of relates to this topic...well at least talks about when to introduce grains. My friend had sent me an article stating this same thing about a year ago, but I just found it again online, the full article is at http://www.usaweeken...0108babies.html. It is from USA Weekend. It's interesting that they didn't mention barley, rye or oats. Anyway, here it is.

Here is the one part that mentions Celiac's.

Researchers from the University of Colorado recently found that children who were given cereal grains at 3 months were at higher risk for celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder triggered by a food allergy to wheat gluten, than those who weren't fed grains until they were 7 months old. There are no official recommendations about when to add wheat to Baby's diet, but William Cochran, M.D., chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics section on Gastroenterology and Nutrition, says parents should wait until Baby is at least 7 months to feed her grains.

Kim

[cgilsing]

So I wonder then....I know breastfeeding is the best, but if you use a gluten-free formula (like Enfamil) and delay the introduction of gluten into the baby's diet will there be the same decrease in the instance of celiac disease later in life?

[angielackner]

i think i am going to really try not to introduce gluten into my baby's life until he is old enough to understand that mommy cant have it....i dont want to prepare glutened foods, and i know once he becomes a toddler, they like to "feed" mommies their food...and i dont want to have to tell him no until he can kinda grasp why. my hubby supports me on this. so now i have to start researching a good gluten free brand of cherios since thats one of the first toddler foods granted i have a year or so for that

angie

[Fiddle-Faddle]

cgilsing, on Mar 15 2006, 01:52 PM, said:

So I wonder then....I know breastfeeding is the best, but if you use a gluten-free formula (like Enfamil) and delay the introduction of gluten into the baby's diet will there be the same decrease in the instance of celiac disease later in life?

It certainly would be better than using a gluten-containing formula, but nothing close to the different kinds of protection breastmilk would give. There are over 100 substances in breastmillk not found in ANY formula, including white blood cells and secretory IgA, which help the baby to develop a healthy immune system (which for us on this forum, is SO important!).

I would suggest that you talk to whatever lactation consultant(s?) might be on the staff of the hospital you plan to deliver at NOW (in other words, BEFORE you desperately need them), and see if you like them. Same thing with the La Leche League. You never know--I think they all mean well, but not all of them are sensitive, and when you're trying to help a confused, exhausted, overwhelmed, and hurting, new mommy who is trying to teach an equally confused baby how to suck (and neither of them know what they're doing)--ya gotta be sensitive! One of my friends who gave birth at a different hospital than I did said that the lactation consultant had her in tears, and actually yelled at her. Not good. The lactation consultant where I gave birth was very patient and supportive.

I was lucky enough to have a wonderful La Leche League Leader in my area. I actually never met her--I talked to her on the phone, and (over the Phone) she coached me through just about every breastfeeding problem in the book. She told me to call her any time (and she had 5 kids and was expecting her 6th), and I swear, I called her every day the first 2 weeks, and after that, about once a week for the next 6 months. She knew so much more than the pediatrician, it was ludicrous.

Warning: if your mother and mother-in-law have not breastfed, they will likely be VERY destructive to your efforts ("Here, Sweetie, get some rest while I give your baby a bottle," etc.). Be prepared! Do you have any local friends who've been through it who can offer you support, or are you the first to try to breastfeed?
Just like staying gluten-free, it makes SO much difference to have support.

[angielackner]

thanx for all the good advice. i know i will have a wonderful support network for breastfeeding, and everything else in general...my mom never did, but thats cuz i was adopted...but she works in birth and family services at the hospital i will be delivering at, and i have grown up there (she's been there for 30 years!) and i know if i need it she will hook me up with the best lactation consultants...all the nurses on the ob floors are extra trained in breastfeeding, so they should be of great assistance while i'm there. and then when i come home, my mom is soooo happy i will be breastfeeding...my MIL breastfed my hubby's brothers (not my hubby though...he is the oldest and she had no support)...so i know she will not undermind me either

i will be pumping after about a month though...once the baby is good with breastfeeding...so my hubby can take over at least one feeding regularly...i also have narcolepsy, and have to continue to stay off my ritalin while i breastfeed...so i will need all the help i can get to get extra sleep...we'll see how it goes

angie

[mommida]

Breastfeeding has a sleepy effect on the mother.
Set up your breastfeeding spot. A comfortable seat with back support, a spot for your glass of water, breast pad supply, and anything you might need within arms reach.
Good luck, and remember to be patient-with your body and your new little one.
Laura

[de caps]

Hi, I am currently breastfeeding my third child. When I was diagnosed with celiac disease she was only three months old. I nursed both of her brothers with no problems for them or I. When my daughter was 8 months old I had her tested for the gene for celiac disease. An HLA test. It was positive for the gene for celiac disease. All the other lab test were normal. I was told by the pediatric GI doctor to continue breastfeeding and not to hold off on gluten containing foods. Anyone with a gene for celiac disease has only a 40% chance of developing the disease over their life time. She will be tested yearly by blood work to see if she has developed celiac disease. I am comfortable with this management. My daughter is growing well and eating well with no evidences of celiac disease. Her brothers tested negative for the gene. My advise is to have your baby tested for the gene at three months old prior to beginning solid foods. Good luck.

[happygirl]

de caps-You are correct---that many people have the Celiac genes but do not develop/get/have Celiac. However, the risks ARE increased for family members of Celiacs. I believe the risk is 1 in 22 of first degree family members.

[prinsessa]

de caps, on Mar 16 2006, 03:39 PM, said:

Hi, I am currently breastfeeding my third child. When I was diagnosed with celiac disease she was only three months old. I nursed both of her brothers with no problems for them or I. When my daughter was 8 months old I had her tested for the gene for celiac disease. An HLA test. It was positive for the gene for celiac disease. All the other lab test were normal. I was told by the pediatric GI doctor to continue breastfeeding and not to hold off on gluten containing foods. Anyone with a gene for celiac disease has only a 40% chance of developing the disease over their life time. She will be tested yearly by blood work to see if she has developed celiac disease. I am comfortable with this management. My daughter is growing well and eating well with no evidences of celiac disease. Her brothers tested negative for the gene. My advise is to have your baby tested for the gene at three months old prior to beginning solid foods. Good luck.

I'm surprised that your doctor told you that you shouldn't hold off on gluten containing foods. I know that people who have allergies (or they run in the family) are told to hold off on certain things (such as peanuts and wheat) until their children are older (usually around age 2). Is gluten intolerance different? Wouldn't holding off on introducing gluten to children for as long as possible decrease their risk of developing Celiac? Does anyone know anything about this? I'm not saying that your doctor is wrong....I'm just curious about it.