Have Ds With Celiac, Pregnant With #2

[shan1523]

Hello,

While I dont post much to this site, I read and learn so much from it. (I am still learning stuff everyday)

Anyways, I have a son who in 2 weeks will be 2 years old and has celiac, from a borderline blood test, and positive dietary changes....He showed signs/symptoms at 6 months when we intro'd solids (barley cereal and oatmeal, then biter biscuits...etc...) He has been gluten-free for a year now (minus one mix up at a family picnic...)

I am about to have another baby, in about 5 weeks, a girl...and Im planning on breastfeeding-hoping that goes well (has supply issues with ds) but my questions are...should I then avoid all gluten myself? Im not sure if it is passed through or not, and if I have to do formula I am pretty sure enfamil is gluten-free....Im not introing solids until at least 6 months, and even then I may start with fruit/veggies (I make all my own babyfood anyways)

I know if she is going to have it I cannot avoid it, but I would like her to not suffer, especially so young, and while shes still developing....

Any tips or advice would be much appreciated...

Oh and is it true there is a 1 in 22 chance that she will get it since her sibling has it?

Thanks for any and all replies

Shannon

[mommida]

The 1 in 22 is the current statistic for #2 odds. A person can have the Celiac gene(s), but there needs to be a "trigger" to activate Celiac disease in the indiviual.

As far as I know Enfamil is gluten free - haven't needed to check that in a long time.

The current studies say to introduce grains at 6 to 9 months. The evidence states waiting past 6 to 9 months to introduce wheat has an association to developing a wheat allergy.

L.

[KayJay]

our GI told us to hold off on Gluten for at least a year. We started with fruits and veggies at 8.5 months and then went to oats a week or so ago. She seems to be doing fine on those. We wait 7 days in between new foods.

[shan1523]

Thanks for the replies. I havent spoken with our nutritionist yet...but have read online about the 6-9 month window, but then have heard from people who actually have talked to their docs about waiting a year...thats why I am so confused. I think the waiting till a year may be best for us....

thanks again for all the info.

Shannon

[jenvan]

Gluten can pass through breast milk...so you would need to be gluten-free yourself while breast feeding. I have read quite a few articles on breast feeding/celiac/infants etc. and the most recent research says no gluten up until 6 mos reduces chances or delays onset of celiac, however, not introducing gluten before 7 mos of age increases the likelihood and onset. Also, studies have shown it is best to continue breast feeding during the period when gluten is introduced. I can try and find some of the articles I've read to send to you if you like...

[shan1523]

Thanks....I would love the info if you have it available..

Its all so overwhelming...If only it were more talked about in mainstream medicine...even with my ped who I adore, he is learning as we go....at least he is willing to look into new research and stuff, but he hasnt been so clear cut on when to intro what....I do plan on breastfeeding as long as possible (although it will be tough for me to go gluten-free...even though I cook gluten-free for my son....some textures I just dont like, but I will do it for her cuz its better than the alternative)

I thinks its hitting me that she will be here soon, and I just dread going through all the rough stuff I did with my son before we knew what was wrong....

thanks so much

you guys are great.

Shannon

[jenvan]

Shannon- It sounds like you will do a great job trying to do what you can, and hoping for the best Research in this area is still fairly new. Here are some links to articles below:

Open Original Shared Link

Open Original Shared Link

Open Original Shared Link

[AndreaB]

Gluten can pass through the breastmilk (as well as the placenta). Have you gone through any testing? We did testing through enterolab which is expensive but does tell you whether you have an active sensitivity. I don't know the percentage chance of other siblings developing celiac disease if one has it. Take care of yourself. Do you have help for after the baby is born, and is that person aware of the diet restrictions for your son?

[shan1523]

Gluten can pass through the breastmilk (as well as the placenta). Have you gone through any testing? We did testing through enterolab which is expensive but does tell you whether you have an active sensitivity. I don't know the percentage chance of other siblings developing celiac disease if one has it. Take care of yourself. Do you have help for after the baby is born, and is that person aware of the diet restrictions for your son?

I have just recently realized that I should maybe have gone gluten free during pregnancy for the baby. I have not been tested, and do want to in the future, but our insurance doesnt cover all of it (they covered my son, but wont cover testing for me....I hate insurance) and we cant afford enterolab right now....

I do have plenty of help after baby, my husband is taking time off and of course is very well aware of Noah's issues, and both grandparents are good about it...we also have a seperate cupboard, dishes, cooking stuff just for him (which he of course thinks is cool) for anyone else that comes into the house knows he can only have stuff from there, or his section of the fridge...

oh and jen thanks for the links, that was very interesting reading....

Shannon

[taweavmo3]

I'm wondering the same thing myself, it is all very confusing. I have three children so far who all have a problem with gluten, and I'm 8 months pregnant. I only have one daughter who tested positive at age 3, the other two tested neg. but had symptoms which have improved on the diet. Looking back at their infancies, they all had issues. They always seemed to react to my breastmilk, but everyone I talked to said that it was impossible for a baby to be allergic to breastmilk. I also had supply issues as well...which usually led to full time bottlefeeding. I just didn't have the time to breastfeed, then supplement, then pump to increase my milk supply!

Now that I've been gluten free for a few months, I'm really hoping that bf will be more successful this time around. And I still don't have a plan regarding giving this baby her first bites of gluten.......I suppose I'll start some gluten cereal before 9 months. But, once the baby starts eating table food, she won't be getting much gluten after that since the whole family is on the diet. At least my other kids had some symptoms that warranted me putting them on the diet, but I've never had to ponder making a baby gluten free from the beginning.

I'm sure that was of absolutely no help to ya, but I can sympathize!

[mcsteffi]

I am so glad you brought this up! We are in almost the exact boat. I have a 2 1/2 year old boy with celiac and 23 weeks preg with #2. I havent even started to think about how I am going to feed the next one. Still working on what to feed the one that is here...lol. I get so lost sometimes still. I never even thought of checking formula or of me being gluten-free while breast feeding. Looks like I have a lot of research to do in the next few months.

Stephanie