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

Breat Feeding Vs Bottle

cloesb

Recommended Posts

cloesb Newbie
cloesb
Posted

Hi Everyone -

I was hoping some of you can help me. I'm pregnant w/ my second & I am the one with celiac. Luckily my daughter is fine (she's 6). I had no idea that I had celiac when she was born and hated breast feeding - so I pumped it out for 10 weeks then quit.

I really don't want to breast feed with the 2nd but the celiac doctor said it may help prevent the disease and to introduce crumbs at 4 months.

I guess my question is - for those of you with children with celiac. Did you breast feed, bottle feed? Do you think it made a difference?

I obviously want to do whats best for the baby but I can't explain the horror that I went through trying the first time. I really just want to enjoy it this time around.

Any thoughts would be helpful. Thanks!

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


dandelionmom Enthusiast
dandelionmom
Posted

I'm not sure if breastfeeding my daughter helped or not (not sure how to figure that one out!). But I do know that the point when she started getting worse was after we weaned (weaned at 15 months and 18 months was the first pediatrician appointment that I voiced concerns about her health).

So far, the articles I've read have convinced me to breastfeed my third daughter until her second birthday (if possible).

tarnalberry Community Regular
tarnalberry
Posted

huge caveat: I have no kids, so this is all heresay. :)

I hear that each kid/pregnancy is different, so I'd think that you could try (trying not to place too heavy of an expectation on yourself) to breastfeed, and switch - as you did last time - if need be. Maybe it'll be different, maybe it won't, but you won't know until you try?

Generic Apprentice
Generic
Posted

I was breastfed and started showing symptoms of celiac shortly after weaning (age 2). My mom also waited until I was 1y/o until any wheat was introduced. Both of my kids were breastfed so far neither are celiac. I think my son shows some signs, but my ex won't consider it.

Under no circumstances would I give my child "crumbs" at 4 months, not only because of celiac but because wheat itself is such a high allergen. I would wait until at least 6-9 months of age, if you are going to try giving it to them. Just my opinion.

dbmamaz Explorer
dbmamaz
Posted

I breastfed all three kids and didnt introduce most allergen foods until 1 yr and did them very carefully. I was bottle fed and developed severe 'allergies' to milk and wheat - since they were never tested then, i'm trying now to see if it was really celiac. My kids stopped gaining weight once i put them on wheat, and i'm starting to wonder if it was NOT a coincidence.

I was a member of 2 different La Leche Leagues, and they offer great suport if you are having trouble with breastfeeding. Many hospitals also have lactation specailists now. We dont just 'naturally' know how to breastfeed, and having some suport in figuring it out can make a lot of difference.

Note, i also am one of those crazies who took the baby to bed with me, so I could just roll over and nurse without having to get up and go to another room and pick up the baby and lay the baby back down . . you get a lot more sleep with the baby in bed . . .they move out eventually!

But the most imortant things are eating plenty, drinking plenty, resting plenty, and finding a good position and latch for you and your baby. Oh, and I slept on a towel for a long time too!!

You have to do what is best for you AND your baby - both of you. I would suggest trying to breastfeed, and trying to get all the help you can, and then quit if it still doesnt work for you.

And good luck with your pregnancy and your new addition!

gfmolly Contributor
gfmolly
Posted
Hi Everyone -

I was hoping some of you can help me. I'm pregnant w/ my second & I am the one with celiac. Luckily my daughter is fine (she's 6). I had no idea that I had celiac when she was born and hated breast feeding - so I pumped it out for 10 weeks then quit.

I really don't want to breast feed with the 2nd but the celiac doctor said it may help prevent the disease and to introduce crumbs at 4 months.

I guess my question is - for those of you with children with celiac. Did you breast feed, bottle feed? Do you think it made a difference?

I obviously want to do whats best for the baby but I can't explain the horror that I went through trying the first time. I really just want to enjoy it this time around.

Any thoughts would be helpful. Thanks!

I developed celiac after I had breastfed both of my children, so I am not sure if I can offer any advice on that matter. However, I had a horrible time breastfeeding my first child because I just couldn't produce enough milk. With my second child breastfeeding was a breeze and I was able to keep at it until he was a year old. It was certainly more challenging with the second child because the first one was running around and wanted my attention when it was feeding time, but it was such a special time and I really liked the closeness of the bond created.

So, I guess my two-cents includes a reminder of how very different each child will be. Good luck and congratulations!

Terri

aprilh Apprentice
aprilh
Posted

The problem is there is you won't know if the baby will tolerate the formula's out there. They are all made from soy, or milk. My son didn't even tolerate the very expensive hypoallergenic kinds because he didn't tolerate dairy or soy in any form. Plus one of the ingredients was corn syrup and he doesn't tolerate corn. So when I did decide to wean him I went to the ND and explained my issues, and she gave me a recipe for a homemade goat formula. He did much better on this.

KNowing what I know now and didn't know then......if it were me I would breastfeed for as long as possible avoiding dairy, corn, soy, and gluten while doing so. And I would not introduce gluten until at least 2 years of age. I might introduce other grains such as rice earlier, but not gluten grains. I would use cloth diapers to avoid the lead and chlorine issue found in disposables.

If you have trouble producing there are herbs you can take to help with that. The name has slipped my mind at the moment! I am sure its on the La Leche League website somewhere :)

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


JustMe75 Enthusiast
JustMe75
Posted

I would give breastfeeding a good try for sure. I breastfed all 3 of mine and each one was different. By my 3rd I thought I was a pro but she was difficult and threw me for a loop. Had she been my first I wouldn't have continued through the tough part and would not have tried again with the other two. She had to be taught how to latch on properly and once she got it things were better. The other thing I wanted to say was if you had a milk supply problem, that would probably be better for you this time because you are probably healthier since being diagnosed.

As far as preventing the food allergies, I would think you would at least give them a better chance, and at least you can say you did everything you could. I read something I think it was in The Hidden Epidemic by Dr Peter Green that said that they did a study that found the rate of celiac disease went up dramaticaly when breastfeeding became less popular. He seems to think there is good evidence it helps to lessen that severity of the disease if not help prevent it.

I think if I were to have another child now that I know about this disease I would not only breastfeed but keep them gluten free (maybe even dairy free or lite) until age 3 because of the possiblity of autism being related to gluten intollerance and most "damage" to autistic kids is seen before that age. Speech is developed, personality is developed, and I would think their tollerance to certain allergins would be stronger as well.

Sorry to have gone on like I did. I don't feel real strong about many things but I do about breastfeeding. I hope if you do give it a shot that it is easier for you this time. Consider a Le Leche League meeting they are great support and I think most hospitals have one they can refer you to.

cloesb Newbie
cloesb
Posted
  • Author

Thank you for this - actually dr green is my doctor & I had a long conversation with him about this. He's the one that told me to breast feed and introduce crumbs at 4 months. I ended up reading a long research article that stated there is a small window between 4-6 months where the gut is fully formed and ready to accept new foods - but if you miss the window then you are back where you started....I love Dr. Green. SO I respect his decision about wheat crumbs at 4 months. Its just the breastfeeding that I'm worried about.

I do worry about autism as well & was going to ask him about it as it got closer...

Thank you though - I think I've decided to at least put in the effort & see what happens. I'll contact La Leche when its time for help b/c the hospital I delivered at was top notch except for the breast feeding help. They were aweful....La Leche here I come :)

Archived

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

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

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      133,243
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Maya Baum
    Newest Member
    Maya Baum
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.6k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Scott Adams
      Low iron and vitamin d

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      A low tTG is great news, but it doesn’t always mean the small intestine has fully healed yet—iron and vitamin D absorption can lag behind for months or even years, especially in young children. Many kids need supplements for a period of time while the gut repairs itself, and that doesn’t necessarily mean it will be lifelong. Morning stomach pain is also commonly reported in celiac kids and can be related to slow healing, reflux, motility, or even low iron itself. It sounds like the supplements are clearly helping, which is reassuring, and ongoing monitoring with her doctor can help determine when (or if) doses can be reduced as absorption improves. The most common nutrient deficiencies associated with celiac disease that may lead to testing for the condition include iron, vitamin D, folate (vitamin B9), vitamin B12, calcium, zinc, and magnesium.  Unfortunately many doctors, including my own doctor at the time, don't do extensive follow up testing for a broad range of nutrient deficiencies, nor recommend that those just diagnosed with celiac disease take a broad spectrum vitamin/mineral supplement, which would greatly benefit most, if not all, newly diagnosed celiacs. This article has more info:    
    • Scott Adams
      Healthy Gluten Free Foods low sugar that you found?

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      A lot of gluten-free packaged foods do rely on extra sugar, starches, or sodium to replace texture and flavor, so focusing on simpler options makes sense. Many people do better with naturally gluten-free proteins like eggs, plain yogurt, nuts, seeds, hummus, beans, and minimally processed protein bars with lower added sugar and higher fiber. Pairing those with whole foods can help you feel more “normal” without triggering symptoms. Subscription boxes can be hit or miss, so checking labels carefully and using them as an occasional supplement—rather than a staple—often works best.
    • Scott Adams
      Trip to Anaheim/Disney

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      This article is a few of years old, but my still be helpful.  
    • knitty kitty
      Accuracy of testing concerns

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      Welcome to the forum, @McKinleyWY, For a genetic test, you don't have to eat gluten, but this will only show if you have the genes necessary for the development of Celiac disease.  It will not show if you have active Celiac disease.   Eating gluten stimulates the production of antibodies against gluten which mistakenly attack our own bodies.  The antibodies are produced in the small intestines.  Three grams of gluten are enough to make you feel sick and ramp up anti-gluten antibody production and inflammation for two years afterwards.  However, TEN grams of gluten or more per day for two weeks is required to stimulate anti-gluten antibodies' production enough so that the anti-gluten antibodies move out of the intestines and into the bloodstream where they can be measured in blood tests.  This level of anti-gluten antibodies also causes measurable damage to the lining of the intestines as seen on biopsy samples taken during an endoscopy (the "gold standard" of Celiac diagnosis).   Since you have been experimenting with whole wheat bread in the past year or so, possibly getting cross contaminated in a mixed household, and your immune system is still so sensitized to gluten consumption, you may want to go ahead with the gluten challenge.   It can take two years absolutely gluten free for the immune system to quit reacting to gluten exposure.   Avoiding gluten most if the time, but then experimenting with whole wheat bread is a great way to keep your body in a state of inflammation and illness.  A diagnosis would help you stop playing Russian roulette with your and your children's health.      
    • trents
      Accuracy of testing concerns

      By trents · Posted

      Welcome to the celiac.com community, @McKinleyWY! There currently is no testing for celiac disease that does not require you to have been consuming generous amounts of gluten (at least 10g daily, about the amount in 4-6 slices of wheat bread) for at least two weeks and, to be certain of accurate testing, longer than that. This applies to both phases of testing, the blood antibody tests and the endoscopy with biopsy.  There is the option of genetic testing to see if you have one or both of the two genes known to provide the potential to develop celiac disease. It is not really a diagnostic measure, however, as 30-40% of the general population has one or both of these genes whereas only about 1% of the general population actually develops celiac disease. But genetic testing is valuable as a rule out measure. If you don't have either of the genes, it is highly unlikely that you can have celiac disease. Having said all that, even if you don't have celiac disease you can have NCGS (Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity) which shares many of the same symptoms as celiac disease but does not involve and autoimmune reaction that damages the lining of the small bowel as does celiac disease. Both conditions call for the complete elimination of gluten from the diet. I hope this brings some clarity to your questions.
×
×
  • 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.