Infants W/ Cd

[khoots]

New here...just hoping to get some replies or posts regarding what you found to be red-flags to celiac disease as your child was still in infancy. Did you see signs/symptoms of celiac disease when you child was an infant? I am still breastfeeding and wondering how my very gluten laden diet may affect my child.

I have had suspicions of something (IBS, pancreatitis, CF, sensory int. disorder) from the first few weeks. I noticed her tummy always appeared distended/puffy - almost herniated in certain spots, very very strange abdominal noises, very frothy/foul bm at times, extended back/limbs with severe crying at times...the list goes on. Of course, a MD pretty much has no time for such trivial cases...until your child is 2 yrs old and you are still c/o of s/s. I refuse to wait & am hoping to find out some additoinal info from the experts on this site!!

thank you in advance if you can take the time to post your earliest signs that something just wasnt right!

Karen

[khoots]

Also, my little one has some sort of skin condition appearing as psoriasis/ezcema. She is 8 months and maybe 15 lbs (low 5 percentile, I think). She weighed over 7 lbs at birth.

Thanks again

[chelly1]

hi tht sounds just like our son at that age he was diagnosed eventually when he was 5 yrs old, we noticed a big change in him however, when we switched to bottle feeding with formula milk, try this and see if you notice any difference, I am not say ing your child has celiac disease but from a mothers point of view this will be a easy adjustment to take with out to much inconvience to you or the baby hope things get better soon good luck

[Merika]

Sorry, have to disagree, whatever you do *don't* switch to formula! You will complicate diagnosis and deny your baby all the necessary nutrients, immunities, and other benefits of breastfeeding. AND your baby might be allergic to formula!!!

It sounds like something is going on, and you're on the right track. It could be celiac, or it could be a food allergy. Google "elimination diet" and that should help get you started. I don't know if a celiac blood panel test at this age is accurate - it is worth looking into.

If you pursue dietary changes for your baby, YOU must also comply 100% with them while breastfeeding, as the proteins and allergies can go through your milk. There is some scientific debate on what gets passed through milk, but not much has been studied yet, and I've seen firsthand the effects, as have many other mothers I know. This is not as hard as it seems and is worthwhile - you may discover some interesting facts about your own dietary effects.

Also google "8 common allergens" to find other possible likely culprits that may be upsetting your baby's digestion. The government is changing food labeling laws later this year (or soon, don't remember the exact date) so that all packaged food will say if it contains the 8 common allergens (like it does for peanuts now).

Best wishes,

Merika

PS. Very recent studies have shown that breastfeeding *reduces* the incidence of celiac....

[mommida]

I have to agree with Merika, try and stick with the breastfeeding. It should be the easiest thing for your baby to digest. The weight gain/ growth of your child would be even slower if you tried formula.

I have to say that my daughter definately had symptoms when cereals were introduced. Even when she was breastfed before. The testing is not very accurate at that age. Keep researching and look for a pediatric specialist.

There is not a lot of information about Celiac and breastfeeding. Some studies say that breasrffeding can delay onset of Celiac and stomachs and intestines of bf babies are stronger. Breast milk has immunities. Are you gluten intolerant, Celiac? Are you on a gluten diet?

Laura

[Kasey'sMom]

Hi,

I know you must be frustrated right now. My thoughts are with you and your daughter.

I breastfeed my daughter and from early on she had mild reflux,colic, thrush and a few spots of eczema. I made her baby food from organic items and as long as she was nursing and eating pure, healthy foods her immune system was OK. Within about 5 or 6 months of stopping nursing, we started to see more symptoms and her health wasn't as good. We've begged our daughter's doctors for months to help us and just now we're getting some where.

Merika has great ideas for looking at your own diet. I did a diet/mood journal and it was very helpful. I would take the diary with us to our doctors appointments. I think this helped them to see how serious I felt the problem was. I know this is sort-of gross but...My dad's family had a farm and in the spring the milk tasted of green onions because the cows were grazzing.

Take care,

Kasey's Mom

[khoots]

Thank you all for your thoughts/advice. It truly is very frustrating. I am continuing to breastfeed, but I just recently started giving 1 bottle of soy formula a day - mainly b/c it has been the 1st times she will actually take a bottle...& if I can get my hubby to give her a bottle once in a while then I could TRULY use a break, especially since I have a 28 mo old as well. Her next doctors appt in on the 26th of this month & I am going to see what MD thinks. He is a very good ped, such that he spends a lot of time w/ us & you can tell he is actually "thinking" about what he is saying vs. just responding instantaneously. He is an older doctor, too - so, its rare to find. I just hope he does think along the lines of what I am thinking. I feel I have been very conservative (meaning not overly parnoid or maybe just naive to the fact there is really something wrong). You know, even though i am posting on different sites - I am still hoping that what I think is wrong - is just my imagination. But, as a mom - you know your gut is usually right. Especially if its not your 1st child.

Anyways, the last poster stated that she is finally getting somewhere w/ the docs. What symptons is your little one showing now. How is she now? And, lastly how long did you breastfeed for? Did you ever use formula & if so, what kind?

Thanks again everyone.