Many parents wonder if their baby’s food contains gluten. Gluten is a protein found in grains like wheat, barley and rye. It can cause serious health problems for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. Fortunately, there are many healthy and nutritious gluten-free options for babies just starting solid foods.
What is gluten?
Gluten is a general name for the proteins found in wheat, rye, barley and triticale. It helps foods maintain their shape and gives elasticity to dough. For most people, gluten does not cause any issues. However, those with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity can experience severe reactions when they eat gluten. Symptoms may include diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloating, fatigue and more. The only treatment is a strict lifelong gluten-free diet.
Should babies eat gluten?
Most experts recommend introducing small amounts of gluten between 4-6 months of age while breastfeeding, or between 6-12 months if formula feeding. This helps avoid the development of celiac disease or wheat allergy. However, if there is a family history of celiac disease, it is advised to consult a doctor first. Some recommendations are to introduce gluten later, between 12-24 months.
Signs of a gluten sensitivity
In some cases, babies may show an intolerance or allergy to gluten. Signs may include digestive issues, skin rash, irritability, vomiting or diarrhea. If a gluten sensitivity is suspected, see a pediatric gastroenterologist. They can do a blood test or biopsy to diagnose. Babies with a gluten allergy or celiac disease will need to follow a gluten-free diet.
Grains and Starches
Many parents start babies on single grain cereals. Look for gluten-free varieties made with rice, oats, quinoa or buckwheat. Here are some gluten-free options:
Rice
Rice cereals and rice flour are naturally gluten-free. Some brands include:
– Gerber rice cereal
– Earth’s Best rice cereal
– Baby’s Only organic brown rice cereal
Oats
Oats are gluten-free but may be contaminated with wheat during growing or processing. Look for certified gluten-free oats. Some options are:
– Bob’s Red Mill gluten free oats
– Honeyville rolled oats
– Cream Hill Estates oatmeal
Quinoa
Quinoa is an ancient grain that is gluten-free. Try these cereals:
– Earth’s Best quinoa cereal
– Gerber quinoa cereal
– Happy Baby organic quinoa cereal
Buckwheat
Despite the name, buckwheat is gluten-free and safe for babies. Products include:
– Baby’s Only organic buckwheat cereal
– Arrowhead Mills buckwheat flour
– Bob’s Red Mill buckwheat flour
Corn
Corn grits and cornmeal are gluten-free options. Use brands like:
– Bob’s Red Mill corn grits
– Arrowhead Mills cornmeal
– Soba whole grain corn flour
Flours
Try gluten-free flours like rice, buckwheat, coconut or almond flour for baking. Brands like Namaste Foods offer gluten-free flour mixes.
Teething Biscuits
Many teething biscuit brands are gluten-free including:
– Baby Mum-Mum rice rusks
– Happy Baby organic teethers
– Plum Organics baby biscuits
Fruits and Vegetables
All plain fruits and vegetables are naturally gluten-free. Try these ideas:
Fruit Purees
Mash your own fruits or buy 100% fruit purees without added ingredients. Select ripe bananas, apples, pears, prunes, peaches, apricots and avocado.
Vegetable Purees
Offer single ingredient purees of carrots, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, peas, green beans, beets and parsnips. Check for added thickeners on storebought versions.
Pouches
Many fruity pouches are gluten-free like Plum Organics, Ella’s Kitchen and Happy Baby. Avoid oat or barley based blends.
Jars
Jars of organic fruits and veggies tend to be gluten-free. Look for varieties from Beech-Nut, Gerber, Earth’s Best and Parent’s Choice.
Proteins
Including gluten-free protein sources provides important nutrients for growth and development. Here are protein options for baby:
Meats
Finely pureed chicken, beef, pork or lamb offer baby iron and zinc. Make your own or use Plum Organics, Gerber or Beech-Nut.
Legumes
Mash cooked beans or lentils into a spreadable texture. Try baby food pouches with black beans, chickpeas or lentils.
Eggs
Scrambled egg yolks or egg yolk omelets are easy finger foods. Check for allergies before introducing.
Dairy
Plain whole milk yogurt and cheese are gluten-free options full of calcium. Offer small bites for self-feeding.
Fish
Puree wild caught fish like salmon, cod or tilapia for baby. Choose sustainably sourced jarred or pouched varieties.
Nut Butters
Look for brands with just nuts and oil like Santa Cruz organic peanut butter. Spread on rice cakes or add to oatmeal.
Mixed Meals
As baby grows, combine gluten-free grains, fruits, veggies and proteins into Nutritious mixed meals. Here are some ideas:
Oatmeal
Make single grain oatmeal with certified gluten-free oats. Mix in pureed fruit, flax or chia seeds.
Rice Pudding
Cook rice in milk then blend with pureed fruit. Can freeze in cubes for self-feeding.
Quinoa Bowl
Mix quinoa with sauteed veggies, avocado and shredded chicken.
Fruit and Yogurt Parfait
Layer gluten-free yogurt or cottage cheese with diced fruit and rice cereal.
Bean Spread
Mash beans with rice cereal, pureed veggies and seasoning. Spread on rice cakes or crackers.
Banana Pancakes
Blend banana, egg and rice flour into pancake batter. Serve with nut butter.
Snacks
Between meals, offer snacks to maintain energy and nutrient intake. Here are gluten-free snack ideas:
Rice Cakes
Top rice cakes from brands like Lundberg Family Farms with smashed avocado, nut butter or dairy-free cream cheese.
Puffs
Choose rice, quinoa or amaranth puffs from Happy Baby, Gerber or Earth’s Best. Stay away from oat cereals.
Teething Crackers
Look for gluten-free varieties from brands like Healthy Times, Simple Mills, Baby Mum-Mum or Plum Organics.
Fresh Fruit
Offer fresh banana, peach, pear, berries, melon, mango or papaya spears for finger feeding.
Nut Butter Toast
Spread nut butter on strips of gluten-free bread or bagels.
Yogurt
Spoon feed or let baby self-feed from silicone-lined pouches of whole milk yogurt.
Desserts
While not necessary, a little sweet treat can make eating fun. Here are gluten-free desserts for baby:
Fruit Puree Pops
Fill silicone molds with pureed fruits and freeze for popsicles. Insert popsicle sticks for easy eating.
Banana “Ice Cream”
Blend frozen bananas into a creamy, dairy-free dessert. Can mix in pureed fruit.
Applesauce
Look for unsweetened applesauce or make your own. Offers fiber and vitamin C.
Rice Pudding
Blend cooked rice with milk, pureed fruit, cinnamon and nutmeg. Can mix in chopped dates or raisins.
Coconut Yogurt
Spoon feed dairy-free yogurt made from coconut milk and cultures. Brands like Cocoyo and Yumbutter have gluten-free options.
Bread, Pasta and Baked Goods
While not necessary in early infancy, older babies can start to handle soft breads, crackers and pasta. Choose gluten-free varieties made from rice, quinoa, coconut or almond flours. Here are some ideas:
Breads
– Canyon Bakehouse sliced breads
– Udi’s Gluten Free sandwich bread
– Schar multigrain bread
Bagels
– Udi’s Millet-Chia bagels
– Trader Joe’s gluten-free bagels
– Katz Gluten Free bagels
Pastas
– Banza chickpea pasta
– Jovial Brown Rice pasta
– Barilla gluten-free pasta
Crackers
– Mary’s Gone Crackers
– Nut-Thins Rice Crackers
– Simple Mills Seed Crackers
Cookies
– Pamela’s Products Gluten-Free Cookies
– Enjoy Life Double Chocolate Cookies
– Lucy’s Gluten-Free Cookies
Avoiding Cross-Contamination
When preparing gluten-free foods, take steps to avoid cross-contamination with gluten sources:
– Use separate plates, utensils and cookware for gluten-free items
– Wash hands before preparing gluten-free foods
– Use clean cutting boards, knives and work spaces
– Check labels as soy sauce, spreads, broths and sauces may contain hidden gluten
– Look for gluten-free labels or certified gluten-free when in doubt
Following a gluten-free diet for babies with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity provides important health benefits. With planning and label reading, parents can find many tasty and nutritious gluten-free options for baby’s first foods.
Conclusion
Raising a gluten-free baby may seem challenging but there are many healthy and delicious options. Focus on naturally gluten-free whole foods like fruits, vegetables, meats, dairy and gluten-free grains. Read labels carefully to avoid cross-contamination. With creativity and planning, parents can introduce their baby to a world of flavor while avoiding gluten. A pediatric gastroenterologist can provide tailored guidance for transitioning to gluten-free solids while meeting baby’s nutritional needs. With proper care, a gluten-free diet should enable baby to grow, develop and thrive.
