Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Breastfeeding

Rebekah3

By Rebekah3
in Related Issues & Disorders

Recommended Posts

Rebekah3 Rookie
Rebekah3
Posted

Hey all,

I've been diagnosed with presumptive Celiac disease (all positive blood tests, no biopsy yet. See the Gastro next week). I am nursing my 8 month old. I nursed my first for 19 months, and I planned to let this one self-wean too. My question is this: Is breastfeeding reasonable while transitioning to a Gluten Free Diet/ active celiac? My symptoms are mainly neurological and probably some vitamin deficiencies. I'm also a Type 1 diabetic, which has it's own challenges with breastfeeding. Has anyone done this? If I was a treated Celiac (gluten free already) breastfeeding would be fine, no? But will continuing to do it through the transition be ok? Thoughts? Experiences?

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


tshep Newbie
tshep
Posted

You can absolutely breastfeed while gluten free! Our entire family has been gluten free since my daughter was diagnosed with Celiac a little over 2 years ago. That means my 9 month old has never had any exposure to gluten, in utero, or through breastfeeding, and now through the introduction of solids. He has no deficiency, growing like a weed, starting solids on track, hitting all his milestones wonderfully. Just eat plenty of raw, whole foods. In fact since Celiac is generally considered hereditary  (though not necessarily), by continuing to breastfeed, you are giving your baby the best possible foundation for a healthy digestive system. Way to go, mama!

  • 1 year later...
ZCeuz Newbie
ZCeuz
Posted

Breastfeeding is one of the biggest gift a mom can give her baby. Not just from a nutritional point of view but also psycho-developmental perspective.

Of course, the healthier the mom, both physically and psychologically, the better for her baby.

pschwab Enthusiast
pschwab
Posted

We have been completely gluten free in our household for the past year since my two year old was diagnosed with celiac. I had a new baby two months ago. The pediatric gi dr told me to introduce gluten through breastfeeding between 4-6 months. He said this was based on a study saying introduction at this age has been shown to help stop celiac from occurring. Just because a child has the gene doesn't mean they have to develop celiac. So if you were nursing during that time, which it sounds like you were, you should be fine going gluten free. If you are worried, I would talk to a gi doctor to see if you need to continue to expose your little one to gluten. If they recommend you do, I would ask your significant other to feed them a minimal amount each day outside the house. Then wash the baby's mouth (brush any teeth they might have) and I would assume nursing would be safe for you. This is all my opinion and I highly recommend talking to a dr to confirm, but I wouldn't stop nursing until both you and the baby are ready.

StephanieL Enthusiast
StephanieL
Posted
On 6/11/2017 at 5:40 PM, pschwab said:

We have been completely gluten free in our household for the past year since my two year old was diagnosed with celiac. I had a new baby two months ago. The pediatric gi dr told me to introduce gluten through breastfeeding between 4-6 months. He said this was based on a study saying introduction at this age has been shown to help stop celiac from occurring. Just because a child has the gene doesn't mean they have to develop celiac. So if you were nursing during that time, which it sounds like you were, you should be fine going gluten free. If you are worried, I would talk to a gi doctor to see if you need to continue to expose your little one to gluten. If they recommend you do, I would ask your significant other to feed them a minimal amount each day outside the house. Then wash the baby's mouth (brush any teeth they might have) and I would assume nursing would be safe for you. This is all my opinion and I highly recommend talking to a dr to confirm, but I wouldn't stop nursing until both you and the baby are ready.

This isn't exactly what they are saying. They suggest ACTUAL gluten introduction at that time.  There is no guarantee that gluten is passing from Mom to Baby via breastmilk at any time.  

pschwab Enthusiast
pschwab
Posted

Our pediatric gi specialist and my sister-in-law's pediatric allergist said gluten definitely comes through breast milk. My nephew has a gluten allergy and she couldn't eat gluten while nursing him or he would have a reaction every time.

Victoria1234 Experienced
Victoria1234
Posted

My mom did not bf me at all. The recipe for formula, given by the doctor, had milk, Karo syrup and cream of wheat. Can you believe it?  I was a very fat baby.

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


cyclinglady Grand Master
cyclinglady
Posted

Unfortunately, the reality is that celiac experts STILL do not know when a baby should be exposed to gluten.  

Read this:

Open Original Shared Link

 

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,899
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    dcarter1682
    Newest Member
    dcarter1682
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Who's Online (See full list)

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • trents
      New (possible) celiac diagnosis

      By trents · Posted

      Welcome to the forum, @Judy M! Yes, he definitely needs to continue eating gluten until the day of the endoscopy. Not sure why the GI doc advised otherwise but it was a bum steer.  Celiac disease has a genetic component but also an "epigenetic" component. Let me explain. There are two main genes that have been identified as providing the "potential" to develop "active" celiac disease. We know them as HLA-DQ 2.5 (aka, HLA-DQ 2) and HLA-DQ8. Without one or both of these genes it is highly unlikely that a person will develop celiac disease at some point in their life. About 40% of the general population carry one or both of these two genes but only about 1% of the population develops active celiac disease. Thus, possessing the genetic potential for celiac disease is far less than deterministic. Most who have the potential never develop the disease. In order for the potential to develop celiac disease to turn into active celiac disease, some triggering stress event or events must "turn on" the latent genes. This triggering stress event can be a viral infection, some other medical event, or even prolonged psychological/emotional trauma. This part of the equation is difficult to quantify but this is the epigenetic dimension of the disease. Epigenetics has to do with the influence that environmental factors and things not coded into the DNA itself have to do in "turning on" susceptible genes. And this is why celiac disease can develop at any stage of life. Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition (not a food allergy) that causes inflammation in the lining of the small bowel. The ingestion of gluten causes the body to attack the cells of this lining which, over time, damages and destroys them, impairing the body's ability to absorb nutrients since this is the part of the intestinal track responsible for nutrient absorption and also causing numerous other food sensitivities such as dairy/lactose intolerance. There is another gluten-related disorder known as NCGS (Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity or just, "gluten sensitivity") that is not autoimmune in nature and which does not damage the small bowel lining. However, NCGS shares many of the same symptoms with celiac disease such as gas, bloating, and diarrhea. It is also much more common than celiac disease. There is no test for NCGS so, because they share common symptoms, celiac disease must first be ruled out through formal testing for celiac disease. This is where your husband is right now. It should also be said that some experts believe NCGS can transition into celiac disease. I hope this helps.
    • Judy M
      New (possible) celiac diagnosis

      By Judy M · Posted

      My husband has had lactose intolerance for his entire life (he's 68 yo).  So, he's used to gastro issues. But for the past year he's been experiencing bouts of diarrhea that last for hours.  He finally went to his gastroenterologist ... several blood tests ruled out other maladies, but his celiac results are suspect.  He is scheduled for an endoscopy and colonoscopy in 2 weeks.  He was told to eat "gluten free" until the tests!!!  I, and he know nothing about this "diet" much less how to navigate his in daily life!! The more I read, the more my head is spinning.  So I guess I have 2 questions.  First, I read on this website that prior to testing, eat gluten so as not to compromise the testing!  Is that true? His primary care doctor told him to eat gluten free prior to testing!  I'm so confused.  Second, I read that celiac disease is genetic or caused by other ways such as surgery.  No family history but Gall bladder removal 7 years ago, maybe?  But how in God's name does something like this crop up and now is so awful he can't go a day without worrying.  He still works in Manhattan and considers himself lucky if he gets there without incident!  Advice from those who know would be appreciated!!!!!!!!!!!!
    • Scott Adams
      Patiently Waiting to See Results

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      You've done an excellent job of meticulously tracking the rash's unpredictable behavior, from its symmetrical spread and stubborn scabbing to the potential triggers you've identified, like the asthma medication and dietary changes. It's particularly telling that the rash seems to flare with wheat consumption, even though your initial blood test was negative—as you've noted, being off wheat before a test can sometimes lead to a false negative, and your description of the other symptoms—joint pain, brain fog, stomach issues—is very compelling. The symmetry of the rash is a crucial detail that often points toward an internal cause, such as an autoimmune response or a systemic reaction, rather than just an external irritant like a plant or mites. I hope your doctor tomorrow takes the time to listen carefully to all of this evidence you've gathered and works with you to find some real answers and effective relief. Don't be discouraged if the rash fluctuates; your detailed history is the most valuable tool you have for getting an accurate diagnosis.
    • Scott Adams
      Gluten free beer ?

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      In this case the beer is excellent, but for those who are super sensitive it is likely better to go the full gluten-free beer route. Lakefront Brewery (another sponsor!) has good gluten-free beer made without any gluten ingredients.
    • trents
      Patiently Waiting to See Results

      By trents · Posted

      Welcome to the forum, @catsrlife! Celiac disease can be diagnosed without committing to a full-blown "gluten challenge" if you get a skin biopsy done during an active outbreak of dermatitis herpetiformis, assuming that is what is causing the rash. There is no other known cause for dermatitis herpetiformis so it is definitive for celiac disease. You would need to find a dermatologist who is familiar with doing the biopsy correctly, however. The samples need to be taken next to the pustules, not on them . . . a mistake many dermatologists make when biopsying for dermatitis herpetiformis. 
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.