Celiac/lactose - Breastfeed Vs. Bottle

[SmileyKylie]

I am a diagnosed Celiac-Lactose Intolerant. My Doctor does not have much experiece with my condition. Has anyone else received medical advise about a Celiac-Lactose Intolerants breast milk nutrients? I am debating if my nutrient levels will be inferior to formula. Since pregnancy, I have developed low levels of calcium and become Hypo-thyroid.

Or does anyone know where you could find this medical information? There is a lot of information on the web, but I haven't found any medical journals or etc on the topic.

[tarnalberry]

Kellymom.com has the information you need, and cites all of their sources in their articles.

Unless you are *severely* malnourished (think famine in a third world country), your body prioritizes your baby and your milk over you. With the exception of a few things (vitamin D, for instance), milk levels do not change in any significance without serious deficiency. Not to mention it is COMMON for some nutrient levels to go down during pregnancy (as is developing hypothyroid).

Keep taking your supplements, keep eating a well rounded diet, and your milk will be absolutely, totally fine. Not to mention it will have the antibodies, probiotics, and other micronutrients that your baby cannot get anywhere else.

[jebby]

I agree. There is some decent research that providing breastmilk can help delay the onset of celiac disease in children who are genetically predisposed. Make sure that you take a prenatal vitamin and vitamin D and that your thyroid levels stay stable while you are breast feeding. Good luck with your pregnancy!!

[Dumpling]

I was undiagnosed Celiac while pregnant and had an awful time. My husband started making me smoothies with extra silky tofu, fruit & calcium OJ, that got me through it!! I also received help from a homeopathic doctor/nurse/midwife long distance~ a friend of a friend kind of thing. She had me eating rice noodles with broth & ginger to settle my stomach. In the end I gained only 7 pounds and had a low birth weight baby. That was almost 21 years ago ! He was difficult to breastfeed, but I perused and I do not regret it at all. He is a healthy college man now (I can't believe I just called my baby, a man ) He is a little slower on physical growth, but doing very well otherwise!! My other pregnancies were better because I learned how to eat and demand better care for myself. You may want to call around and look for a doctor who has experience with celiacs. I wish I knew then, what I know now. Lots of luck & happiness to you!!

[SGWhiskers]

And remember all the antibodies and bonding hormones that breast milk has that are not in formula.

[come dance with me]

Even in Third World countries, it's better to breastfeed than not. Bubs get all they need from it. My daughter showed no symptoms of coeliac disease until about 7, and was breastfed until she was 3, so I'm really glad she had that to start with.