Questions - Expecting Our First

[amybeth]

We are twenty-three weeks pregnant with our first - a baby boy! We have wanted this for so long, now that the reality is sinking in I'm realizing I have many questions about logistics. . . who better to ask than all you folks here?!

I'm undecided on breast feeding, as of yet, and I realize that a lot of these questions won't even come into play until much later, but I figure I have time to follow up on my questions now, which I may not have come August with he arrives.

Is it better to have my child tested for celiac or to expose him to gluten and be mindful of symptoms?

Is there a gluten free formula that anyone would recommend? Does it matter?

Is it appropriate to have the child tested - even if he exhibits no symptoms? At what age?

It seems to me, that until he is beyond the toddler stage - and able to feed himself relatively neatly - I would have to keep him gluten free anyway - otherwise I'd be carefully cleaning and washing my hands non-stop! (Except when he's with a sitter or Daddy is home to "man" the meals). . . by avoiding gluten in his early development would I in anyway be causing harm or increasing chances of a negative reaction to gluten?

I apologize for my ignorance. I wasn't diagnosed until my late 20's and I'm the only known family member with celiac. . . I have no frame of reference for gluten and children.

Thanks, in advance!

[mommida]

Congratulations!

It is a good thing that you are asking questions, even if you think it is early.

Breastfeeding is associated with a stronger gut and can lead to a later development of Celiac. There are conflicting notions on when to introduce gluten. Some say there is a window of 5 to 7 months to introduce gluten. Some say do not introduce potential allergens until the child is 1 year (i.e. egg protein)

Sorry that isn't a clear answer for you.

There are gluten free formulas. (I've been out of that age bracket so long I'm not positive which formulas you might be interested in.) Go to the store you will most likely shop conveniently ~ and is open 24 hours if possible. Compare prices and ingredients. The hospital will give you a starter pack of Enfamil or Similac. Please look at the prices of the hypo-allergenic formulas ~ then rethink the breastfeeding.

Testing is not accurate for patients under 24 months.

[TrillumHunter]

Congratulations!! Much happiness is coming your way!

Nursing my children was one of nicest things I ever did. I enjoyed it so much. There is a lot of talk about how healthy it is but remember also that it is good for the mom. The oxytocin released when your milk lets down is like having warm happiness poured over you! There was something empowering about watching those raw fragile creatures blossom into fat little dumplings on what came from my body---me! The best help is a mom who has nursed a few kids and had some different experiences.

I did use a medical grade breast pump with my third so I could get out a bit. Getting him to take a bottle wasn't hard, it just took some training--which I left to my husband!

Many blessings on your family!

[Roda]

I breastfed both of my children. I was not sure how long I was going to but I gave it a try. I found it to be one of the most rewarding things I could do for them. Aside from you being gluten free, keep in mind that other things in your diet could cause them tummy trouble. I pretty much went dairy free with my first (I could eat yogart and hard cheeses) and avoided the obvious things that could cause excess gas like garlic, onions, broccoli, spicey foods etc. If I would drink milk my oldest would scream with belly pain. I breast fed him almost exculsively until he was 10 1/2 months(he is 8 now) and then pumped and supplemented him with formula until he was 14 mo. We used carnation (this was in 2001). My second child I went dairy, nut, oats, and rice free (the best I could at the time) in addition to the usual suspects. He had terrible rashes and gas when I would eat stuff. He also had reflux bad until he was about 8 months. I know that him being soley breast fed was the only thing that kept him gaining weight and not having damage to his esophagus. I breastfed him until he was 16 mo old (he is 4 now). The only reason I stopped with him was that he kept getting thrush and he passed it onto me. (very painful). I wanted to breastfeed him until he was two, but just couldn't make it. I went back to work when both boys were about three months old. I had a really great schedule though and with the first I worked two 16 hrs shifts a week and with the second only worked three 12 hrs shifts. I rented a breast pump and expressed the milk. I did not have a lot of extra with the first, so I did supplement with formula when the expressed milk would run out. My husband would mix it with the breast milk. I had enough extra milk with the second child that I could have fed another baby. I had alot of surplus with him because of his reflux. He would puke and of course all of his milk would come up and he was hungry again. I had so much ahead in the freezer. He only took formula twice and he screamed with belly pain both times. Later I attributed it to having rice in the formula as a thickner. The ped wanted me to try it for the reflux. After that episode I never turned back. Alot of people think making all those dietary changes is too much. It was not easy, but my babies were better for it. I think now that it had a big mental impact on how I faced having to go gluten free. I'm not against formula at all. Breastfeeding is not for everyone. All you can do is make a choice that you feel is right for you and your baby. CONGRATS!!

[JustCan]

First, congrats! I have a 3 month old baby boy. Breastfeeding was extremely difficult for us so I now exclusively pump for him and am able to produce enough milk that I haven't had to supplement at all with formula. It was important to me to provide him with breastmilk given my own food issues and other severe food allergies in our family so I found a way to do that. Nothing I eat seems to bother him at all and he's in the 90th percentile for both height and weight.

I don't have any scientific research or evidence on when to introduce gluten even though I've been looking for information lately since we'll start solids in a few months. I've seen both schools of thought to introduce it around 6 months versus waiting. Personally, my husband and I plan to wait until he is at least a year old. As you mentioned, you'd be washing your hands constantly if the baby is eating gluten. Plus, from my perspective, if it does cause problems, I'd rather he was a little older and if it ends up that he can eat it then waiting won't make much of a difference. Our household is gluten free except for a few things my husband has so my son will be mostly gluten free no matter what. Good luck to you!

[JustCan]

Just noticed you're in Bucks County, PA. I'm in Montgomery County. If you do decide to breastfeed and need help, there are great lactation consultants at a place called Breastfeeding Resource Center in Glenside (not far from the Willow Grove Mall). I went there when my son was 9 days old and then they were also a huge help when I decided to exclusively pump a few days later. They also offer a lot of support groups and other classes/programs that might be useful.