I found a paragraph in Ruth Lawrence's Breastfeeding: a guide for the
medical profession. (St Louis: CV Mosby, 1989), pp. 344.  [I don't have my
copy of the newer edition at home.]  She cites three studies looking at
celiac disease in the BF infant.  One measured the passage of gliadin into
breastmilk, finding a peak level "in the milk 2-4 hours after ingestion but
[gliadin] did not appear in serum."  (Gliadin is the fraction of gluten
that acts as the antigen in celiac disease.)  The citation for this study
is:Troncone R, Scarcella A, Donatiello A et al: Passage of gliadin into
human breast milk.  Acta Pediatr Scand 76:453, 1987.

I have not ever having worked with nursing mom in this situation myself.
However, I would think that a trial gluten-free diet would be a good idea
for mom.  Baby might need several supplementary vitamins and minerals,
including iron, folic acid, calcium, etc. to balance the nutrients lost due
to malabsorption.

It certainly is difficult to be on a gluten-free diet.  Gluten is found in
small amounts in many processed foods, as well as in large amounts in many
grains.  My understanding is that even trace amounts of gluten may cause a
relapse.

Please update us about this mom.  Thanks!

************Cindy Turner-Maffei, MA, IBCLC, aka [log in to unmask]***********
Lactation Consultant/WIC Nutritionist/Mom with an Attitude*Cape Cod, MA, USA