Vegetarians - are their babies small?

[MamaG]

I've got a DD aged 6 and a DS aged 18 months. DD was 8lbs 6 at birth and DS was 8lbs 9. DD developed normally but DS dropped 3 centiles by the time he was 3 months old. He has had lots of tests and I have been told that there is absolutely nothing wrong with him, he's just little and will probably catch up when he's older. Obviously, I was very relieved

Yesterday, I overheard two colleagues discussing someone with a small baby and they agreed that it was because Mum was a vegetarian.

I don't eat meat, apart from fish, and I'm worried that it is my fault DS is small . I'm hoping that I'll get some good advice on here!

I did discuss this with my midwife when I was pregnant (both times) and she said not to worry.

Thanks very much.

[dillydally]

Its rubbish, I have been a veggie since the dawn of time and My bubba was 9lbs 5
She was always at the top of those charts, except for just before we moved from breast to bottle.
She is very healthy and her fave food at the moment is sweetcorn.

[Tinker]

But your babies weren't small MamaG.

[Mummyvicky]

Im a vegan of 12 years,and local contact for the vegan society.
I have 3 vegan children, and they are all on the 50th centile, my daughter being on the 75th and shes a real chubby !
My newest of 13 weeks was a month early, and has already caugt up to what he should weigh for a full term baby.
I do agree that if you are vegan or veggie you need to make sure your intake of proteins/minerals and vitamins is adaquate.
If this is met I see no reason whatsoever for a small baby.
vicky

[hornbag]

I've been vegi for around 18 years and have 2 children -DD (now 5) was 6lb 3 oz when born and has remained "petit" (incidently she now eats meat). My DS (now 15months) was born a whopper and remains up there on the 98th centile ! ( and hes currently still vegi)
I think whether you're vegi or not has very little to do with size of your baby unless you have an incredibly unbalanced diet (and then it would be a contributory factor, not the sole reason surely)

[MamaG]

Tinker - no, my babies weren't small when they were born, but DS has dropped down the centiles since, for no apparent reason. He was breast fed for 6 weeks, then bottle fed (due to his weight loss) and even when weaned, he never caught himself up. He's not vegi and eats more than his 6 year old sister! Because medical science hasn't come up with a reason, it got me thinking that maybe I did something wrong while pregnant and when I overheard my colleagues, it got me thinking!

I have been doing some reading up and have gathered that babies in utero take all the nutrients etc that they need and Mum takes whatever is left!

So I feel much better now, thanks VERY MUCH for all the replies