When to introduce solids to a baby at risk of coeliacs

[Arrtttiiieee]

My DC2 and my MiL have coeliacs. DC3 is 4.5 months and not yet on solids. My instinct was to not wean at all before 6 months and maybe delay introducing gluten until even later. However, I started researching this and found a large Swedish study which suggested that the best way to avoid coeliacs is to introduce gluten before six months. Then I looked at the coeliacs UK site and it suggested waiting until six months for all solids including gluten. The coeliacs UK site did not mention the Swedish study.

Have others researched this? I would appreciate any views or experienced.

TIA.

Not seen the Swedish study but my own personal point of view is that coeliac disease is often a hereditary condition so I don't see how you can 'avoid' it by introducing gluten before 6mths. I'm pretty sure World Health Organisation guidelines state that weaning should not start before 6mths for any baby or any food type so that would be my choice. There's no need to delay the introduction of gluten though. I would simply wean as normal and see how your little one goes. You should be offered testing for him/her at some point (not sure what age they can accurately start testing) given the family history, even if they're not showing any symptoms but they will of course need to be eating gluten for the test to be accurate.

Thanks. I think I agree with you.

Here is a summary of the Swedish study sciencenordic.com/counter-coeliac-disease-early-glutens which is quite interesting.

Thanks for the link. Very interesting study but I'm not sure I'm convinced. I think there could be many other factors involved in the increase in cases during that time rather than simply the fact that parents were advised not to introduce gluten until 6mths. Think it needs further investigation.
What I'm really interested in is the research into a possible 'vaccine' that will effectively 'turn off' the effects of coeliac disease: www.coeliac.org.uk/news/news-reports-on-coeliac-disease-research

Wasn't one finding that coeliac was less likely to occur if gluten was introduced when a child was still being bf?

In Ireland the guideline is to introduce gluten before 6 months only when breast feeding to reduce the risk of coeliac disease. The benefit of early introduction only exists when baby is breast fed. This is in line with most Northern European policy.

I think the British Dietetic association's position is that it should be introduced between 4 and 7 months alongside breastfeeding.

Oh I know what you are going through and empathise totally.a family member recommended to wait until 1 year but I waited until about 9 months but coeliacs can happen at anytime in one's life and I personally think that when you introduce gluten isn't going to stop it from happening,just my personal opinion.