Breastfeeding, celiac disease, And Inflammation For Mom

[CeliacInSanDiego]

I was diagnosed with celiac disease on 4/25/06, my baby's first birthday. I am still breastfeeding him and plan to nurse him until at least one of us is ready to wean - which I hope is a ways off. Anyway, with my celiac disease, I have MANY food intolerances, and seem to get reactions to many things if I don't rotate them (at least 4 days apart from the last "dose".) This makes me think that my gut is REALLY inflammed.

I do know that childbirth is a common trigger for autoimmune diseases, including celiac disease. Does anyone know about breastfeeding? Is breast-feeding proinflammatory for the mom's system? (I know that it reduces inflammation and has many benefits for baby).

Upon searching the web, La Leche League's web site, etc, I cannot find much on this. I know that oxytocin and prolactin are the primary hormones of lactation. I did find a few references to prolactic being proinflammatory for prostates. But I assume that my gut has very different hormone receptors than a prostate.

Thanks for your help.

Rachel

[jnclelland]

I was diagnosed with celiac disease on 4/25/06, my baby's first birthday. I am still breastfeeding him and plan to nurse him until at least one of us is ready to wean - which I hope is a ways off. Anyway, with my celiac disease, I have MANY food intolerances, and seem to get reactions to many things if I don't rotate them (at least 4 days apart from the last "dose".) This makes me think that my gut is REALLY inflammed.

I do know that childbirth is a common trigger for autoimmune diseases, including celiac disease. Does anyone know about breastfeeding? Is breast-feeding proinflammatory for the mom's system? (I know that it reduces inflammation and has many benefits for baby).

Upon searching the web, La Leche League's web site, etc, I cannot find much on this. I know that oxytocin and prolactin are the primary hormones of lactation. I did find a few references to prolactic being proinflammatory for prostates. But I assume that my gut has very different hormone receptors than a prostate.

Thanks for your help.

Rachel

I've never read anything but positive effects for breastfeeding, so I wouldn't worry. (And the statistics say it decreases the risk of him developing celiac, too - so keep it up!) I'm still breastfeeding my 2-1/2 year old, and I've been off gluten for almost a year (WOW - has it really been that long?). I've improved tremendously, so it doesn't seem to me that breastfeeding has been a problem. (Then again, I'm not a doctor, so this is just my experience!)

Jeanne

[Ursa Major]

I don't believe that breast feeding will have any negative consequences for you, but many benefits for your baby.