Parents With Celiac

[Guest cassidy]

I have celiac and it is very prevalent in my extended family. For that reason my son has never had gluten. He is 15 months now and I'm trying to decide when to have him try some gluten. Anyone in a similiar situation, when did you introduce gluten?

I can't have any research/advice that states waiting longer makes sense. I'm just a bit scared so I have been holding off.

[ShayFL]

If it were me, I would just keep him gluten free at home and with you. Someday when he goes to pre-school or kindergarten, or when visiting a friend, he will get some gluten. This you can be sure of. So he will get small amounts here and there but will be gluten free with you at home. I think this would be healthier than you deliberately giving him gluten. This is just my opinion.

[Amyleigh0007]

We are keeping our 10 month old daughter gluten free. To me, it's not worth the risk of her possibly getting ill. It's also easier if the entire family is gluten free. I am aware she will consume gluten at some point but, like ShayFL said, it will be small amounts here and there. If she doesn't develop a taste for "real" cookies, cakes, bread, and pasta then I don't think it will be an issue later in life. If she chooses, as an adult, to eat gluten foods that is her choice and she will know that if she develops problems to get checked for Celiac. I just don't want her to suffer the same health issues as her older brother.

[ItchyMeredith]

When my son saw Dr. Pietzak- a pediatric celiac specialist- she said that the best window is between 7 and 12 months while they are still breastfeeding. I understand that you are past that window but I just wanted to relay what she said.

[Mickide]

Even before I knew about Celiac I kept my first daughter wheat free until after she turned a year. I did it because my family has alot of food allergies so I delayed introduction of eggs, wheat, nuts, etc..

With my second I had Celiac, I kept her gluten free until she was 12-14 months old and then started introducing. It is really just a personal choice, I did not want my child to miss out on snacks at church or school etc especially since I already had a child on a regular diet, and my husband is not gluten-free. My home is 95% gluten-free but when we are out they eat whatever. My oldest just had the blood screening this week and regardless of the results our home will be becoming 100% gluten free as it is just too hard with little kids wanting to stick they're fingers in my mouth Goodluck!

[Juliet]

You could also have your child tested for the Celiac gene. If she doesn't have the gene, odds are extremely in her favor that she won't get the disease. Of course, even without the gene, she could have gluten intolerance or possibly an allergy, but the odds are still in her favor.