Coeliac family history and weaning

[lenster]

I'm waiting on a doctor's appointment to discuss this as my MIL has coeliac disease. Just wondering whether anyone has been advised to delay introducing gluten when weaning. My understanding is that from 6 months it is ok to wean as usual.

Also has anyone had their baby tested for coeliac disease purely due to family history?

Thanks.

[sylviamaria]

My MIL has coeliac too. I weaned my Lo normally at 6 months. I think statistically the chances of your Lo having it are fairly low. Once u start weaning you can have a test done if u feel concerned. Hope this helps.

[KBN]

Hello,

My brother has coeliac disease, and he and i have both been through how to wean as we have 3 kids between us, 2 newly weaned.

Best advice is to call the Coeliac Society helpline:

http://www.coeliac.org.uk/

They have the most up to date information on weaning.

We were advised not to delay introducing gluten, i.e. do it between 6 and 9 months as normal, and obviously to watch for symptioms (pale, greasy smelly stools, stomach discomfort, poor weight gain)but to be aware that it can take quite some time for symptoms to show so don't assume that because all seems fine initially, coeliac disease is not there. it can show at any time. However, delaying introducing gluten too long can be a bad idea: if CD is present, the baby has to eat gluten for a while before tests can confirm that the problem is in fact a coeliac, and making an older child eat gluten is more unpleasant than a wee one who is just having small tastes.

You cannot test for CD until a child has been eating gluten for at least 6 weeks in regular quantities, and a negative result now does not necessarily mean a negative one forever, so having a precautionary blood test is not recommended.

I was v careful with my first child: introduced v small amounts from about 8 months. She, at nearly 3, shows no signs. My second is 7 months. With her, I introduced gluten from 6 months, and am watching. so far ok...

I would say that GPs are not always brilliantly on top of advice re CD - tending to lump it together with advice on how to handle any allergy, so my advice really would be to talk to Coeliac UK in addition to the GP.

And lastly, if your child does have CD, thankfully now it is no big deal: a gluten free diet is not a huge hassle, and my brother at 29 is a strapping healthy thing, having been diagnosed when weaned.

Good luck and hope all is well! Feel free to PM if you'd like any more info.

K

[lenster]

Thanks for that! Good to know it's ok to wean as usual and just keep an eye on her.

Will have a chat with the Coeliac society.

Thanks.

[kamath]

Hi just to say I have Coeliac disease and have a 2 year old and a week old. KBN is spot on in what she is saying.

Also in New Scientist recently I read that they might have a cure in 5 years time !! I might be able to have yummy fresh bread again!!

A gluten free diet is fine but there is no such thing as nice gluten free bread!!

[mcgowankim]

have you tried WAG in Brixton? Their bread is the best I have found and toasts well a few days later.

I have coeliac disease and an 18month old, and I worry that he has it... never really thrived as a baby, poor weight gain. One thing that has been recommended by Andrew Whitely of Bread Matters reckons that the heavily processed wheat has something to do with the rise... I am inclinded to agree to have been giving my son proper slow made bread! Just another angle to approach the minefield from! Here's to coeliac free babies!