What Do We Do Before Starting Foods?

[iluvbread]

My son is almost 8 months old and we have discovered a wheat intolerance by an elimination diet on my part. I plan to start him on food soon though, before 9 months. I have no idea if he has other issues though. DH is quickly becoming anaphylactic to strawberries, FIL is mildly allergic to peanuts. I really do NOT want to do a skin rash test... What testing should we get done quickly for him? Any of the Enterolab tests? If you had a baby tested, what did you do? I would prefer NOT to go through Dr.s and insurance if at all possible. What options do I have?

Any help is greatly appreciated!

(and apparently I am pretty intolerant too. )

[New Mama]

My son was recently diagnosed as gluten intolerant through EnteroLab -- he's now 22 months. I wish I had figured it out sooner. He was exclusively breastfed until nine months and his first few months were pretty rough. I tried eliminating foods (and since I was eating a vegan diet at the time, this was NOT FUN -- I was so hungry and skinny) but although I think I did try to eliminate wheat, I don't think I was careful enough or gave it long enough. I guess I'll never know if it was gluten that caused his tummy distress, but I know now that he is GI. (It was a rash on his cheeks and upper arms that led me to investigate.)

Anyway, I was very happy with EnteroLab and am waiting until we have the money to test me and my husband. Since my son is still nursing I went gluten-free already, though, and I believe I may also be GI.

Good luck! I give you a lot of credit for figuring this out so early and being proactive about your baby's health.

[janelyb]

he can have a skin prick test that will give you an imediate reaction. They only do part of them and on their back, it isn't that bad really. That would be a good one to know right away if he too is allergic to p'nut or other foods. I would recommend seeing an allergist. I would not recommend doing the food panel blood test through your pedi, I hear those tests are not accurate for young children meaning they often come back negaitve when someone might be positive.

Other than that just introduce table food very slowly start with one that is the least allergenic(I have no clue what that might be maybe squash)....check out Dr Sears website he has some good info. I would suggest to not start with Peas because they are in the same family as the p'nuts.

Good luck