2.5 Year Old Contaminated

[anndon]

Hi -

I would really appreciate some help - I am more anxious now than with a newborn! My 2.5 year old was recently diagnosed with celiac. She has been gluten-free for 6 weeks and we have really noticed a difference...weight gain, mood, etc. Two nights ago she was contaminated. It was my fault and I felt so terrible. The offending product (which looked just like gluten-free version from whole foods) is now in the garbage. Anyway, she ate the chip at 7 at night. At 2AM she woke up crying and refused to go back to bed. She was up until 4. I assume it was the gluten. She had a pretty bad poop the next morning. I (hopefully) thought she was on the road to recovery. She had a great day yesterday but again, last night, woke up crying and wouldn't go back to sleep - this time for 3 hours.

How long does contamination make kids feel terrible? Do you think the wake-ups are coincidental? She was fine during the day but got back to her old grouchy self just before bedtime. It was a really hard last hour....I am fearful of the night. I also have a new baby so this is all a bit much at once.

I really appreciate any insights.

Thank you!

[Ahorsesoul]

It is terrible when we realise it's something we did, thinking we were doing the right thing.

Are you gluten free? Is baby's formula gluten free (don't know a thing about formula ingredients)? Might help you and baby.

You subject title "2.5 Year Old Contaminated" sounds like a jail-able offense or a movie title. Don't feel guilty, it will happen no matter how hard anyone tries. You can just do the best you can. A hot bath might help the 2.5 yr old sleep better. And know once you get a little sleep you will be able to deal better. Right now just hang on tight and come vent here if you have the need.

[Anderson's mom]

I to have a 2.5 year old with celiac disease. We were told he had it at 8 months old. he is also a twin, his twin sister doesn't have it neither does my 6 year old. Anyway, my son has done the same thing. For us it is always worse at night, kinda like when they have an ear infection. He is fine during the day but at night it gets worse. Anyway, he will have a ruff night( he usually ends up asleep on my chest for the rest of the night) then exactly 24 hours from the time he ate the gluten he runs a low grade fever until it is out of his system. I know every case is different but I hope this helps. I also have found that if I wrap something warm around his stomach or hold him tight ( just like you would a baby that is colicy) helps alot. Good luck, and just know that it does get eaiser, it will get to be where it is second nature to you and your family.

Hi -

I would really appreciate some help - I am more anxious now than with a newborn! My 2.5 year old was recently diagnosed with celiac. She has been gluten-free for 6 weeks and we have really noticed a difference...weight gain, mood, etc. Two nights ago she was contaminated. It was my fault and I felt so terrible. The offending product (which looked just like gluten-free version from whole foods) is now in the garbage. Anyway, she ate the chip at 7 at night. At 2AM she woke up crying and refused to go back to bed. She was up until 4. I assume it was the gluten. She had a pretty bad poop the next morning. I (hopefully) thought she was on the road to recovery. She had a great day yesterday but again, last night, woke up crying and wouldn't go back to sleep - this time for 3 hours.

How long does contamination make kids feel terrible? Do you think the wake-ups are coincidental? She was fine during the day but got back to her old grouchy self just before bedtime. It was a really hard last hour....I am fearful of the night. I also have a new baby so this is all a bit much at once.

I really appreciate any insights.

Thank you!

[Bud's Mom]

Hi -

I would really appreciate some help - I am more anxious now than with a newborn! My 2.5 year old was recently diagnosed with celiac. She has been gluten-free for 6 weeks and we have really noticed a difference...weight gain, mood, etc. Two nights ago she was contaminated. It was my fault and I felt so terrible. The offending product (which looked just like gluten-free version from whole foods) is now in the garbage. Anyway, she ate the chip at 7 at night. At 2AM she woke up crying and refused to go back to bed. She was up until 4. I assume it was the gluten. She had a pretty bad poop the next morning. I (hopefully) thought she was on the road to recovery. She had a great day yesterday but again, last night, woke up crying and wouldn't go back to sleep - this time for 3 hours.

How long does contamination make kids feel terrible? Do you think the wake-ups are coincidental? She was fine during the day but got back to her old grouchy self just before bedtime. It was a really hard last hour....I am fearful of the night. I also have a new baby so this is all a bit much at once.

I really appreciate any insights.

Thank you!

Hi!

My son was diagnosed at 15 months. Just a couple of months ago I bought the wrong "Amy's" pizza. Ironically I was even staring at the freezer case at Whole Foods for a long time trying to concentrate on a flavor my son would eat not paying attention to which one was gluten-free. I totally relate to your frustration. He had the pizza for dinner and around midnight he woke up vomiting and suffering from stomach aches. We couldn't understand why. Finally my husband checked the recycling and noticed the pizza box. After my little guy finally went to sleep that night (vomiting 4 times) I burst into tears and felt so sorry for him because of my mistake. After a couple of days, I didn't feel so bad and came to the realization that mistakes like this are going to haJuppen and not to get too down about them. Fortunately it's not life and death like a severe peanut allergy.

Also just last week he ate some regular play dough and 2 hours later he threw up about 4-5 times. He looked terrible towards the end. Dark circles under his eyes and pale skin. After taking his nap he was about 90% his normal self. I understand everyone exhibits symptoms in different ways, sometimes it's helpful to hear how other children respond. Luckily my little guy does not seem to suffer after the throwing up.

As for school, there are some great letters on the web. One mom in particular has a great website with her own version of a form letter. Sorry I can't remember the address right now.

Off the top of my head, the things we had to change/substitute at my son's co-op preschool:

snacks - I provided a list of gluten-free snacks only what was on the list was allowed (no home made anything)

Art Materials - I went through entire cupboards and wrote down all the supplies that could be ingested by a 2 year old and e-mailed the company to find out if gluten-free (paint, pasta, etc)

Cleaning - thorough cleaning at tables -especially if another group of kids share the space on another day

Emergency kits - have gluten-free food item and some type of label so your child doesn't accidentally get fed gluten

play-dough is the biggy - I have a good recipe for rice flour p.d.

sensory table - no oatmeal, barley etc.

Any special projects, talk with teacher about ingredients containing gluten

I hope that helps. I'm a bit late on this. I just joined and am now checking past posts.

Bud's Mom