Important notice to customers — product packaging changesLearn More

NEW FOOD PACKAGING IN STORE NOW

From August 2018, customers will notice our rebranded food packaging start to appear on shelf in all major stockists.

  • CURRENT Packaging
  • new Packaging

We are excited to announce our new packaging will start to appear on shelf from August 2018. This transition to new packaging will occur over a number of months. During this time there will be a mix of current and new packaging on shelf.

There are no major changes to these products, in some instances there is a small name change or slight recipe improvement, see below for the full details.

Products purchased via the website will be delivered to customers in our old packaging until the end of October. From November, products ordered from the website will be delivered in the new packaging.

Please note, our Infant Formula packaging will not be rebranded until later in 2019.

For any questions, connect with our team of accredited practising Dietitians on +61 3 6332 9200

Product name changes

  • Cereal Name Changes
  • CURRENT Packaging Organic Baby Rice
  • NEW Packaging Organic Rice with Prebiotic (GOS) Note: Our Baby Rice recipe has been upgraded to now include GOS Prebiotic
  • CURRENT Packaging Organic Vanilla Rice Custard
  • NEW Packaging Organic Milk & Vanilla Baby Rice
  • CURRENT Packaging Organic Apple & Cinnamon Porridge
  • NEW Packaging Organic Apple & Cinnamon Baby Porridge
  • Ready To Serve Name Changes
  • CURRENT Packaging Organic Banana, Pear & Mango
  • New Packaging Organic Banana, Pear, Apple & Mango
  • CURRENT Packaging Organic Mango, Blueberry & Apple
  • New Packaging Organic Blueberry, Mango & Apple
  • CURRENT Packaging Organic Peach & Apple
  • New Packaging Organic Grape, Apple & Peach
  • CURRENT Packaging Organic Pumpkin & Tomato Risotto
  • New Packaging Organic Pumpkin, Sweet Potato & Tomato
  • CURRENT Packaging Organic Broccoli, Beef & Brown Rice
  • New Packaging Organic Beef & Vegetables
  • Note: We have also upgraded some of our RTS recipes to remove added sugars and to remove some of the more complex ingredients that are not required for young children such as Tamari.
  • RUSKS NAME CHANGES
  • CURRENT Packaging Organic Milk Rusks Toothiepegs
  • New Packaging Organic Milk Rusks
Home/Nutrition & Recipes/Articles/Childhood Nutrition/Health Concerns/Signs of Coeliac Disease in Infants and Children

Signs of Coeliac Disease in Infants and Children

Signs of Coeliac Disease in Infants and Children

In babies, signs of coeliac disease may be signalled from gastrointestinal clues such as:

  • frequent pale mucousy stools which escape the confines of the nappy
  • constant crying and pulling up of the legs as if to ease stomach pain
  • poor appetite may result from stomach pain and discomfort
  • nausea and vomiting
  • swollen tummy

In coeliac disease gluten damages the lining of the small intestine which absorbs the nutrients from our food. Coeliac disease requires life-long avoidance of gluten proteins found in the grains, wheat, spelt, rye, triticale, barley and controversially oats. Once thought of as a childhood disorder that was outgrown, we now know that coeliac disease can be diagnosed at any age. Symptoms of coeliac disease vary a great deal. About twenty percent don’t feel they have any symptoms at diagnosis and about half don’t have gastrointestinal symptoms.

A poor appetite means your baby or child will eat less food. A damaged small intestine means the child will not absorb some of the food it does eat. Therefore other signs to look out for include:

  • poor weight gain
  • weight loss or failure to thrive
  • tiredness with lack of energy
  • pale skin
  • dark circles under the eyes
  • easy bruising
  • wasted muscles
  • changes in behaviour, mood and loss of usual enthusiasm in daily activities

Contrary to this, some children become ravenously hungry when their food nutrients are not being absorbed. If they are eating and drinking lots of food and not gaining weight, this too is a sign to look out for. While some don’t sleep because of discomfort, others sleep more once the fatigue and tiredness sets in.

Diagnosing Coeliac Disease

Coeliac disease shows up after the child starts to eat gluten. In children who carry the genes associated with coeliac disease, gastroenteritis infections early in life, may be one environmental trigger that makes your child more susceptible to developing coeliac disease. If concerned, breast feeding mothers can continue to eat wheat themselves. If the child has coeliac disease, the enzymes to break down lactose (milk sugar) are reduced or lost when the small bowel is damaged by gluten. Going lactose free may help ease symptoms, but this is only masking the real problem.

Gluten must remain in your child’s diet in order to diagnose coeliac disease.

After you have introduced gluten foods to your child, if you notice any of the changes above and they are unexplained and not resolving, investigate them with your baby’s doctor as soon as possible. Getting a proper medical diagnosis is important. The usual coeliac-specific antibody screen is not so useful in babies under two years and is more accurate in children over five years of age. A small bowel biopsy might be advised. Be guided by your doctor and Paediatric Gastroenterologist. It’s important to see a dietitian who specialises in coeliac disease to help you manage a gluten free diet for your child.

References

1. Brown AC. Gluten sensitivity: problems of an emerging condition separate from celiac disease. Expert Review of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, 2012;6(1), 43-55, DOI: 10.1586/egh.11.79

2. Myléus et al. Early infections are associated with increased risk for celiac disease: an incident case-referent study. BMC Pediatrics 2012, 12:194 http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2431/12/194

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Important Notice to Parents and Guardians

  • Breast milk is the best for babies. The World Health Organisation recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life. Unnecessary introduction of bottle feeding or other food and drinks will have a negative impact on breastfeeding. After six months of age, infants should receive age-appropriate foods while breastfeeding continues for up to two years of age or beyond. Consult your doctor before deciding to use infant formula or if you have difficulty breastfeeding.
  • The content on this website is intended as general information for Singaporean residents only and should not be used as a substitute for medical care and advice from your healthcare practitioner. According to recommendations from the Singapore Health Promotion Board, solid food should be given to babies only after 6 months.