Hello,
I have a very acute case of Celiac disease. When I was around 7mos old, I started getting very ill and ended up being hospitalized as a baby for six months (it was not a well known disease back then and my symptoms had escalated to extreme malnutrition). I've been on a lifelong gluten-free diet and the odd time I accidentally ingest gluten, I have severe and immediate reactions. I also have an allergy to related grains like corn.
Because of my own problems, I am very scared to introduce gluten to my son, who is 6mos today. First, Ben has reflux and it was pretty severe until about a month ago. At that time we put him on new medication as well as started giving him two thickened feeds a day. We also started solids around that time. We've had him on rice cereal as well as a few fruits and veggies and so far, so good!
We did try him on oats for two days, but he refused to eat them the first day, and the second day had some pretty good vomits and a bit of diarrhea. My husband thought it might be his reflux, but I think it was the oats. I took him off right away because my mom told me that in retrospect, that was how I initially reacted to oats, barley and wheat as a baby before I got sick.
I've heard conflicting research about when one should introduce gluten - especially if celiac runs in the family. Some research says to wait until 9mos while some recent research I've come across says it's best between 4 and 6mos. Other research says to postpone wheat until one year, and others say to avoid it (well at least wheat) altogether. I don't know which research to believe. We are going to see his paediatrician tomorrow, so I will ask her, but I would love some advice of when I should try these foods, given our family history.
Your advice is much appreciated!
