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Hello,

Thanks to all of you (over 40!) who took the time to answer my question
about whether or not my sister's 3 month old breast fed baby could
possibly have celiac at this young age and if allergens can pass through
the mother's milk.

I got an overwhelming YES! to both questions, and many of the replies
shared their experiences with their babies or their nieces/nephews or
neighbor's child.  Some children showed a reaction/sensitivity to their
mother's milk almost from day one, and others were older.  Not all
respondents had celiac but a lot of them had lactose intolerance/milk
allergies and reactions to certain foods, such as onions, broccoli,
wheat/grain products, chocolate, etc.

One respondent indicated it was crucial to rule out cystic fibrosis as
the diahrrea symptoms commonly seen in celiac babies often are similar
to that afflicted with cystic fibrosis.

Many suggested that the nursing mother go on an elimination diet to see
what it is that is bothering the baby, and then you'll get a better idea
of what's what.  Allergy testing is relatively ineffective for children
under the age of 3.  Some stated it was difficult to eliminate so much
food that they switched the baby to formula..;.and the baby did much
better on formula UNTIL gluten was reintroduced in the form of solid
foods.

Many encouraged getting to the bottom of this NOW because diahrrea in a
3 month old for nearly a month is just too long.

Update:  My sister has now agreed to go on a lactose free diet to see if
there's an improvement in the baby...she just began today so I will keep
you posted.  I am trying to talk her into calling my son's GI specialist
now to get an appointment as it can take up to 2 months before you can
see him.  Naturally she is hoping it is not celiac but at least she is
starting to get to the bottom of this problem.  The baby is not showing
any signs of failure to thrive she's one fat roly poly little girl but
obviously is in discomfort, especially during the middle of the night...

Thank you again!

Robin in CO, USA