If you introduce your baby to gluten before six months of age, you could be in for trouble. Babies exposed to gluten before six months were much more likely to have problems with constipation at 2 years of age.

Gluten is a protein that is found in certain grains – specifically wheat, barley and rye. Oats are often contaminated with gluten because they are processed in the same facilities as gluten-containing grains. The good news is that there are many grains that do not contain gluten, including rice, corn, buckwheat and quinoa to name just a few. Early introduction of gluten has been linked to celiac disease, which damages the small intestine and results in poor nutrient absorption.

Celiac disease has been linked to constipation for some sufferers.

Constipation is a significant issue for parent and baby; it is the reason behind about 5 per cent of pediatrician visits. Constipation often starts around the time that solid food like cereal – which could contain gluten – is introduced or when the baby is switched from breastmilk to formula.

Of children in the study, 12 per cent were considered to have functional constipation by age 2. What this means is that these children were having fewer than 3 bowel movements per week or were having hard stools lasting for 2 or more weeks at a time.

Source: Reuters, BeAllergyWise