Should I consider going GFCF?
Background. DS #1 does not have Autism. DS #2 does have Autism but never had any gut issues. We tried the diet with no effect.
DS #3 is eight months and is mostly breastfed (some fruits and veggies). He is not showing any overt signs of Autism but some things to watch (no biggies but worriesome to me...lousy sleeper and very high strung...but so am I!). He does, however, have gut issues. He had reflux as a baby. He had bloody stools after I gave him rice cereal. Some green, mucousy poops. I took dairy out of my diet for two months and it showed no difference. We are taking new foods with him very slow.
I would rather stab myself than go on the GFCF diet myself (yuch!) but does anyone think that it might be a benefit to the baby. (It would not mean that I would eat better, at all. A lot more junk).
Any thoughts?
Raquel
When you eliminated dairy, did you eliminate all foods that use dairy as an ingredient, such as chips w/ cheese or baked goods that use butter? With the gfcf diet, you have to also do that. I would say give a dairy free diet another try if you did not do that or just do gluten-free for awhile. Is there a food you consume a lot of? What about soy? The soy protien is very similar to wheat and dairy protien.
Another thing you might try is giving him a probiotic. If your baby has ever been on antibiotics, the gut flora was eliminated and it takes several weeks to get back to normal. That may help w/ some of the gut issues. I just wonder if he might have some candida overgrowth. I occassionally give it to my son who is 2 mos.
I agre ew/ the previous poster - You should definately take him to be looked at by a gastro doc and your ped to run not just a test for celiac but for other allergies too.
[QUOTE=little byrd]When you eliminated dairy, did you eliminate all foods that use dairy as an ingredient, such as chips w/ cheese or baked goods that use butter? With the gfcf diet, you have to also do that. I would say give a dairy free diet another try if you did not do that or just do gluten-free for awhile. Is there a food you consume a lot of? What about soy? The soy protien is very similar to wheat and dairy protien.
We actually already keep kosher, so we are pros at elimating all sources of dairy. I also eliminated all soy b/c I new it was a common allergen (and I avoid it anyways b/c of a family history of breast cancer).
I have been giving the baby a probiotic since birth b/c of the many antibiotics I have been on.
He has been seen by a Gastro. They felt he is fine b/c his poops are back to normal. I would agree that he is fine w/o the family history of Autism. For that, the Gastro can't help me (dosen't even know what I am talking about). I don't want to see a DAN doctor for this b/c I don't want to start up with all of that again.
Thanks for you thoughts.
I'm glad to hear that his bowel movements are back to normal now, but what happens when you start to introduce grains and other foods besides fruit, veg and breastmilk? Are you getting any recommendations and follow-up from the doctors about introducing other solids? That must have been very scary to see bloody stools, and I sure would want the doctors' help to avoid a repeat.
[QUOTE=NorwayMom]
I'm glad to hear that his bowel movements are back to normal now, but what happens when you start to introduce grains and other foods besides fruit, veg and breastmilk? Are you getting any recommendations and follow-up from the doctors about introducing other solids? That must have been very scary to see bloody stools, and I sure would want the doctors' help to avoid a repeat.
Doctors just want me to take it real slow in introducing solids. Many days in between each new food. The stools actually improved with the introductions of solids.
I was thinking about holding off on dairy and gluten for the baby until 12-18 months. Does that seem too extreme?
[/QUOTE]I would be reluctant to do it, but it might be worth a try for a short test period. It could be that your baby has a gluten intolerance, at least according to this article.
http://www.cryingoverspiltmilk.co.nz/Food/Glutencancausegast ro-oesophagealrefluxdisease!.htm
What does the pediatrician say? Has your baby had a test for celiac disease or allergies yet?
Was the rice cereal mixed with cow-milk based formula?
Good luck with everything.
Breast milk poop is usually different anyhow. How about you takeing the digestive enzymes/probiotics that way the baby gets some of that also. How About goat products instead.No, I don't think it sounds too extreme to wait with gluten and dairy till 12 months. As long as your baby is eating well and following his growth curve, there are plenty of other baby foods that can give him the same nutrients, I'm sure.
Since your baby is "high-strung", maybe he is hypersensitive to sensory input (doesn't mean he has autism). This checklist might help you figure out any sensory issues:
http://www.sinetwork.org/aboutspd/prof-siobsguide.pdf - The Sensory Integration Observation Guide, Level 1 (0 to 12 months)
Good luck with everything.
A baby can live on breast milk alone for the first year many have went from this to table foods. In the 70' people did it this way who nursed their baby's.