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

Celiac Disease And A Clingy Toddler


Nicholasmommy

Recommended Posts

Nicholasmommy Apprentice

Hello, about a month ago my son had blood work down that indicated he has celiac disease. He was on gluten light for a couple weeks. Recently I decided to not do the biopsy and I took him completely off gluten. He is doing much better with his eating and has so much energy now it is crazy! He has been jumping off the walls!

The one thing is that for the last couple weeks he has been very clingy. He is always wanting me to hold him, read to him, or play with him. He also wants to sit on my lap during meals. He often cries and clings to my leg asking to be picked up. I pay tons of attention to him, taking him to classes, the park, reading to him, etc. Do I know it is not b/c he is attention deprived. I have been giving him extra loving and cuddles b/c obviously he needs it. Yet I do need to go to the bathroom sometimes and cooks meals.

I guess I am just wondering if anyone eles has experienced this? How long did it last? What did you do?


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



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



Genna'smom Apprentice

Hi

I jsut wanted to let you know that I am in the same boat. Even after 1 year of gluten free she is still like this BUT she has a lot of behavior issues that did not get better being gluten free so not sure. I did read that children often do this and after a while of being gluten free they get better. I do lock the bathroom door so I have a moment of peace and I pick her off my leg and sit her in front of TV while I am trying to cook dinner and if she comes back and I just let her cry and take her back in the other room. Good luck and I hope you get some other answers as I do not think my dd is typical......

Bonnie

swalker Newbie

I put my daughter in a sling and wore her. She was close when she needed to be and I could still get things done.

dandelionmom Enthusiast

It could be a very normal toddler phase. Or it could be a reaction to the changes in his lifestyle. I think giving him the extra attention right now like you are already doing is the way to go. He'll probably adjust soon. All 3 of my kids went through phases like that (1 has celiac, 1 doesn't, and 1 is unconfirmed). I don't think it lasted more than a couple of weeks but it is hard to remember now!

Guest simrnz

Don't worry, being clingy is a very common symptom in celiac diagnosed kids. This thing could be due to reduced appetite, nausea, they may be withdrawn also. I'm not sure about whether the kid will recover this condition when gluten is cured, because kids deprived in childhood go on showing personality deficits on an ongoing basis. I'd advise you to NOT SHOW extraordinary attitude towards you kid just TAKE CARE BUT DON'T MAKE HIM FEEL HE'S DEPRIVED IN SOME WAY AND HE NEEDS SPECIAL CARE. This will make him demand extra care for rest of his life and he'll develop an insecure attachment with you.

B'sgirl Explorer
Hello, about a month ago my son had blood work down that indicated he has celiac disease. He was on gluten light for a couple weeks. Recently I decided to not do the biopsy and I took him completely off gluten. He is doing much better with his eating and has so much energy now it is crazy! He has been jumping off the walls!

The one thing is that for the last couple weeks he has been very clingy. He is always wanting me to hold him, read to him, or play with him. He also wants to sit on my lap during meals. He often cries and clings to my leg asking to be picked up. I pay tons of attention to him, taking him to classes, the park, reading to him, etc. Do I know it is not b/c he is attention deprived. I have been giving him extra loving and cuddles b/c obviously he needs it. Yet I do need to go to the bathroom sometimes and cooks meals.

I guess I am just wondering if anyone eles has experienced this? How long did it last? What did you do?

Sounds like my son. I recommend reading a book called Raising Your Spirited Child by Mary Sheedy Kurcinka. It has nothing to do with Celiac but I found it to be very helpful. Even if your child doesn't fit the exact mold it is helpful. He just had a sudden influx of energy after going gluten-free and we had to find ways to manage it. Being clingy can also be a sign of overstimulation. Is your child extra sensitive to textures of food, the feel of clothing, etc? The book has advice on how to avoid emotional meltdowns and lots of other things.

ChemistMama Contributor

Did you only go gluten free? Usually if there's villi damage there may be some lactose intolerance. My Ped. GI Dr. said that for the first 6 weeks of going gluten-free you also go milk free, only lactaid milk and cheese. Give the villi a chance to heal. My son was super clingy before he was diagnosed and it took awhile (a few weeks) for him to be less clingy. Your little guy may still have some lingering GI problems, and the only solace he knows is mom! Also make sure you explain to him that the foods you give him won't hurt his tummy...that went a long way to get my 18 month old to start eating again!


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



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



Archived

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


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,726
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    Ruth C
    Newest Member
    Ruth C
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):





  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Scott Adams
      Do you have the results of your endoscopy? Did you do a celiac disease blood panel before that?  Here is more info about how to do a gluten challenge for a celiac disease blood panel, or for an endoscopy: and this recent study recommends 4-6 slices of wheat bread per day:    
    • Scott Adams
      It is odd that your Tissue Transglutaminase (TTG) IgA level has bounced from the "inconclusive" range (7.9, 9.8) down to a negative level (5.3), only to climb back up near the positive threshold. This inconsistency, coupled with your ongoing symptoms of malabsorption and specific nutrient deficiencies, is a strong clinical indicator that warrants a more thorough investigation than a simple "satisfactory" sign-off. A negative blood test does not definitively rule out celiac disease, especially with such variable numbers and a classic symptomatic picture. You are absolutely right to seek a second opinion and push for a referral to a gastroenterologist. A biopsy remains the gold standard for a reason, and advocating for one is the most direct path to getting the answers you need to finally address the root cause of your suffering. Here is more info about how to do a gluten challenge for a celiac disease blood panel, or for an endoscopy: and this recent study recommends 4-6 slices of wheat bread per day:    
    • Scott Adams
      There is a distinction between gluten itself and the other chemicals and processing methods involved in modern food production. Your experience in Italy and Greece, contrasted with your reactions in the U.S., provides powerful anecdotal evidence that the problem, for some people, may not be the wheat, but the additives like potassium bromate and the industrial processing it undergoes here. The point about bromines displacing iodine and disrupting thyroid function is a significant one, explaining a potential biological mechanism for why such additives could cause systemic health issues that mimic gluten sensitivity. It's both alarming and insightful to consider that the very "watchdog" agencies meant to protect us are allowing practices banned in many other developed countries. Seeking out European flour and your caution about the high-carb, potentially diabeticgenic nature of many gluten-free products are excellent practical takeaways from your research, but I just want to mention--if you have celiac disease you need to avoid all wheat, including all wheat and gluten in Europe.
    • Rejoicephd
      @Scott Adams That's actually exactly what I ended up asking for— vodka tonic with Titos.  I saw on their website that Tito's is certified gluten-free (maybe many of the clear vodkas are, I don't know, I just happened to look up Tito's in advance). I should have actually specified the 'splash' though, because I think with the amount of tonic she put in there, it did still end up fairly sweet.  Anyway, I think I've almost got this drink order down!
    • Wends
      Be interesting to see the effects of dairy reintroduction with gluten. As well as milk protein sensitivity in and of itself the casein part particularly has been shown to mimic gluten in about 50% of celiacs. Keep us posted!
×
×
  • 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.