Newborn baby vegan

[starflake]

I'm due in December and I'm contemplating raising Baba as vegan. I'm vegetarian years & only eat a minimal amount of dairy, if Baba is vegan I'll go down the vegan route also. I'm contemplating this as I know the benefits of not consuming dairy or meat but I've never raised a baby vegan! My other DC are meat eaters bar one who is veggie like me. I'm looking for advice on formulas & how difficult it will be weaning etc. I'm planning on breastfeeding with some combi feeding so maybe one or two formula feeds a day after supply comes in. I'm not posting this in pregnancy section as I'm not up for a bashing on how harmful this will be for baba. TIA

[AuntieAvocado]

You can get dairy free formulas but there seems to be a consensus that they’re pretty nasty. I’ve known a few people whose babies had dairy intolerances so they had to give dairy free formulas and the babies didn’t seem to like them. I also gather they’re more expensive than normal formula, and only stocked in the larger shops so can be hard to get hold of.

Would you consider reducing dairy instead of ruling it out completely? It would make your life a lot easier

[smeerf]

It's possible to do it, ideally you will need to breastfeed for 12 months and then switch to something like Oatly Barista. The dairy free formulas are really vile (according to mums I know with bottle fed CMPA babies)

[MakeLemonade]

I know of a couple of vegan babies, both are exclusively breastfed and will self wean to eliminate the need for formula or plant milk until they are much older. I think this is the easiest way to manage the milk situation.

Once weaning, it’s fine, lots of veg, fruit and pulses. Hummus is a big staple for me as a veggie but think it’d be even more so for being a vegan! You’d just need to ensure plenty of calories and good fats are included in your diet.

[slipperywhensparticus]

I would take advice on the formula milk front as some products are not ideal for anyone

[ChildminderMum]

Why not plan on breastfeeding for at least 2 years? Then you eliminate the need for any artificial milks.

[newnamewhosthis]

Your baby shouldn't be vegan.

Trying feeding your child an age appropriate balanced diet 🤔

[TopBitchoftheWitches]

If it is harmful for your baby would on earth would you consider it?
That's what I took from your op.

[newnamewhosthis]

Your baby shouldn't be vegan.

Trying feeding your child an age appropriate balanced diet 🤔

[Morgan12]

It would worry me to do this because what if they grow up and don't want to be vegan? Then they may have issues eating meat and dairy in the future.

I really don't think this is a choice you should be making for them.

[SleepingStandingUp]

I think if you want baby to be vegan then you need to breastfeed for 12 months not intend to supplement with formula. Like others have said, dairy free formula isn't great and won't be hugely accessible without medical need.

What research has brought you to the conclusion that this is safe and better for baby than being raised not a vegan?

[mintyneb]

Dairy free formula is very expensive compared to regular milk formula. Children with milk allergies can be prescribed it free but I wouldn't think you'd be able to get a prescription for being vegan? Be prepared to spend a lot of money!

[MustardScreams]

You also shouldn’t give soy based formula to baby boys as it can seriously affect their reproductive system and hormones. I personally wouldn’t give a baby vegan formula unless it was specifically for a dairy allergy.

If you’re desperate for baby to be vegan you should be breastfeeding for at least 12 months, and then baby can have oat milk from then. When weaning you must make sure that baby is getting enough fat as this is very important for young children to grow. No high fibre products like brown bread/pasta as that fills baby up too quickly so they don’t ingest enough nutrients and calories. They also need a good source of calcium/protein and will definitely need a multivitamin.

Tbh unless you are well versed in infant nutrition I wouldn’t make a young child only eat vegan food, unless you are absolutely certain you are meeting all their nutritional needs.

[HeyMonkey]

Are you due to give birth to a sheep?

[HeyMonkey]

Are you due to give birth to a sheep?

[dementedpixie]

There is no vegan formula in the uk

[AutumnCrow]

I'm a great supporter of vegetarian and vegan eating for older children and adults. The world needs more of it.

This idea, however - given you won't exclusively breastfeed your newborn baby whilst bringing it up vegan - is somewhat unhinged and I suspect it may be an online jape?

[PixieLumos]

If you want to raise your child vegan I think it’s fine, but considering you’re not actually vegan yourself it’s an odd decision to be making. If you can currently eat ‘a minimal amount of dairy’ why can’t your child? What are your reasons for wanting to do this?

[CodenameVillanelle]

Weaning a baby on vegan food is fine as long as you do it well but vegan formula isn't good enough. Either breastfeed or give dairy formula.

[Gruntvsgunt]

My little one has a cmpa. When I switched him to the disgusting formula I was advised to add a few drops of vanilla, he was then able to tolerate it x

[lljkk]

Y the F would a vegtn want to raise their baby vegan? Is this a wind up?

[NoSquirrels]

Unless you plan on exclusively breastfeeding then this is a bad idea.

If you want to follow a vegan weaning plan then you’ll need to accept that formula feeding is out.

Honestly, though, as you are a family of mixed vegetarians and omnivores I wouldn’t restrict your new baby so young. Go for reduced dairy and mostly vegetarian and that will be much easier to ensure good nutrition.

If you were already vegan and your whole family ate that diet that seems different.

[welshweasel]

Vegan formula doesn’t exist in the UK. If you’re serious about this then you must exclusively breast feed until 6 months then continue to breastfeed alongside weaning for at least another 6 months. From one they can move onto oat/almond/coconut/soya milk. Impossible to do unless you’re really committed to breastfeeding.

[missnevermind]

Their was a phrase in the 80’s and 90’s
Muesli Belt Malnutrition
Baby humans are best having breastmilk and then weaned on to a balanced diet.