I suspect gluten and celiac problems in baby

[Lisa1970]

My oldest tested positive for celiac disease but then went on to be diagnosed with something else. He is 15 now. We did not have the information then that we do now (like the internet!)

Now the new baby (several babies later) is acting how my 15 yr did. He is turning away from solids. Then, when he does take in some, he has horrible diarhea.

Since we know more now, what can I do NOW to help him rather than waiting a while like I had to before due to a lack of knowledge. With my oldest, I just kept being told for the first over a year that it was normal, just keep trying the solids. Now I am thinking I need to try a diet of gluten free and celiac free foods? What is there for a 6 month old?

[possum]

Fruits, veggies, meats, bone broths
I cooking the fruits and veggies well will make them easier to digest. I would be cautious with dairy.
At 6 months, I wouldn't worry too much about solids. He should be getting mostly mama's milk right now. Lots of babies are just not interested at 6 months, but there seems to be quite a bit of anecdotal evidence out there that babies with allergies/intollerances have aversions to solids in general and to their allergens in particular. Knowing that and with a family history of issues, I would proceed cautiously with solids and avoid gluten grains for a bit and watch very carefully when/if I did into them.
Melinda

[Lisa1970]

Originally Posted by possum

Fruits, veggies, meats, bone broths
I cooking the fruits and veggies well will make them easier to digest. I would be cautious with dairy.
At 6 months, I wouldn't worry too much about solids. He should be getting mostly mama's milk right now. Lots of babies are just not interested at 6 months, but there seems to be quite a bit of anecdotal evidence out there that babies with allergies/intollerances have aversions to solids in general and to their allergens in particular. Knowing that and with a family history of issues, I would proceed cautiously with solids and avoid gluten grains for a bit and watch very carefully when/if I did into them.
Melinda

So far, I have given him Earth's Own Organic foods like sweet potatoes and apples and bananas and pears. The sweet potatoes last night led to a big diaper explosion. But I also had given him Gerber Oatmeal (nothing organic about that).

I kind of want to plan for the future, as even though it is just 6 months old now, I am thinking ahead to the future. Plus, I am trying to conceive again and I know my milk will have some issues when I am pregnant. I have breastfed through pregnancy before, a few times, but it just really started hurting me. I did stick it out until 3rd trimester both times though until I could not take it anymore.

[Lisa1970]

Originally Posted by possum

Fruits, veggies, meats, bone broths
I cooking the fruits and veggies well will make them easier to digest. I would be cautious with dairy.
At 6 months, I wouldn't worry too much about solids. He should be getting mostly mama's milk right now. Lots of babies are just not interested at 6 months, but there seems to be quite a bit of anecdotal evidence out there that babies with allergies/intollerances have aversions to solids in general and to their allergens in particular. Knowing that and with a family history of issues, I would proceed cautiously with solids and avoid gluten grains for a bit and watch very carefully when/if I did into them.
Melinda

Exactly which are the gluten grains? I was thinking rice cereal is not one of them so I could try that next? But I am unsure.

[kjbrown92]

I am confused. Your 15yo has celiac AND something else? Or was diagnosed with celiac and then they decided it wasn't that and was something else?

Oats are always contaminated with wheat (gluten) unless you specifically get gluten-free oats. And even gluten-free oats are a problem for some with celiac (or gluten intolerance that isn't celiac) because the proteins are similar.

Barley, Rye, Wheat, Spelt are all gluten. MSG has gluten, malt (usually from barley) should be avoided. If the baby does have celiac, then you shouldn't be consuming gluten either, as it passes through breastmilk. It's possible that the baby is gluten intolerant and not celiac, or has another food intolerance.

[Lisa1970]

Originally Posted by kjbrown92

I am confused. Your 15yo has celiac AND something else? Or was diagnosed with celiac and then they decided it wasn't that and was something else?

Oats are always contaminated with wheat (gluten) unless you specifically get gluten-free oats. And even gluten-free oats are a problem for some with celiac (or gluten intolerance that isn't celiac) because the proteins are similar.

Barley, Rye, Wheat, Spelt are all gluten. MSG has gluten, malt (usually from barley) should be avoided. If the baby does have celiac, then you shouldn't be consuming gluten either, as it passes through breastmilk. It's possible that the baby is gluten intolerant and not celiac, or has another food intolerance.

The bloodwork said he had celiac disease but then the biopsy showed it was not celiac but was something else. Since we have a high level of ASD in the family anyway, I have been wanting to learn more about avoiding gluten and such.

[possum]

Did the bloodwork indicate that he was producing antibodies to gluten? Does he follow a GF diet?
Gluten is serious stuff. Reacting to gluten can trigger anti-tissue reactions in the intestines which in turn causes poor digestion/absorption. Certain genes predispose you to gluten sensitivity, so it tends to run in families. It is actually quite common, and very under diagnosed.

I would suspect the oats rather than the sweet potatoes, actually. I know it is hard, but with a kid showing digestive sensitivity, I think it is really important to take solids into very slowly and only introduce one thing at a time with a few days in between any new foods. I wish I had recognized better my son's intolerances and trusted my gut more early on with solids.

Melinda

[kjbrown92]

If the blood test was positive, I'd keep him off gluten anyway. There's an article on celiac.com about the testing protocols and if you have a positive blood test but a negative biopsy, it just means your intestines aren't damaged enough to be seen YET. There is genetic testing available for celiac as well.