Vegan or vegetarian formula?

[FormulaQ]

Looking for some advice on formula as it’s all very new to me. I breastfed DD until she was 2 but for a few reasons I really don’t want to do it again and I’m feeling quite guilty about this for some reason. I have another DC due in 2 weeks and planning to formula feed.

I am vegan, DP is vegetarian.

I am unsure of wether to give DC2 vegan wysoy formula or Kendamil organic as this seems like the most ethical cows milk formula. I’m still uncomfortable with giving cows milk but if nutritionally it is better for them then this obviously outweighs my morals.

Could anyone tell me based on the nutritional comparisons below which formula they would choose? Left or right?

Many thanks!

I wouldn't base it just on the above, I'd want to know all of the ingredients in the 'milk' I'm giving my baby.
FWIW DS had to have some top up formula in the early days because he had a bad tongue tie, we had to wait to have it snipped and my milk was delayed coming in because he wasn't able to match at all.
I used kendamil

*latch

Just because your both vegan why do your children have to be ?

We aren’t both vegan, DP is vegetarian and DD eats dairy

Check the other ingredients, I'm sure when DD was young there was news coverage that soya milk was damaging baby teeth and turning them black as it contained glucose syrup or similar. It's been more than a decade though so hopefully things have improved.

The one on the left

I’m fairly certain that the NHS says not give babies soy formula unless they’re needed for allergy reasons? I would go for the Kendamil, personally.

That’s a good point I hadn’t even thought of that, I’ll do some research this evening as I assume the vegan one will have a lot more strange things added compared to the organic cows milk one

Your own breast milk is neither vegan nor vegetarian, and you gave that to your first child. Or does your own milk not count as an animal product?

I didn’t know that, thank you! I’ll definitely go for the Kendamil

Good point.

Wysoy isnt vegan. The vitamin d in it is of animal origin.

I used wysoy for topups. But majority of milk given was breastmilk. I got questioned by health visitors (who were mostly usless and ill inforned) about it. So if you choose wysoy be prepared for that.

Kendamil is vegetarian. I believe the only vegetarian formula? If fully formula fed even being vegan i'd consider it. Itsqlso readily accessible whereas wysoy isn't always easy to get hold of.

Seriously weird question. Obviously producing and using your own milk is not exploiting or harming others, whereas using an animal's milk is.

Soya formula isnt recommended under 6 months unless given on medical advice.

Don't think wysoy is actually vegan although it might be vegetarian

I was willing and choosing to breastfeed and I don’t know how the dairy cows that are used for formula are treated and what kind of conditions they are kept in which is why I am uncomfortable with it but I’m not posting for that, I just wanted to know what was best for DC2 and if it’s the cows milk one (which it appears to be after reading the NHS website!) then that’s what I’ll go for

If BF isn’t an option I’d go for dairy formula every time. Soy formula is given to babies that can’t digest normal formula. If you really can’t face giving dairy formula you might want to rethink BF.

Dear me there's always one isnt there.

Breast milk is designed for baby humans. Cows milk is designed for baby cows.

If you believe cows milk is a natural substance for humans to drink. Perhaps go and suckle on a cows udder.

Breats milk is vegan. As is placenta if you fancy placenta and chips for your dinner.

No, seriously stupid point. Lowest possible grade gotcha.

That said I question the wisdom of raising tiny children on a vegan (and to a certain extent on a vegetarian) diet, but OP has obviously made her mind up, and I hope she gets meaningful advice.

Breastmilk is vegan and is the only vegan milk that is suitable for newborns. Some vegan mothers who can’t or choose to not breastfeed use donated breastmilk. You can see if these is a bank near to you. While it is from another animal it has been freely given.

we are mammals and as such need animal milk for our young. Soya or plant based milk is not really suitable for newborns unless there’s a medical reason such as serious allergy.

as for the others, all formula in the uk is tightly controlled and nutrionally they are the same. Anything extra added is not scientifically proven to be of benefit and is mostly marketing.

I believe kendimil is vegetarian as doesn’t have fish oil.

when it comes to formula though I’d go with whichever is cheapest and easiest for you to get.

you can absolutely use plant based milks in food post 6 months and take on a totally vegan diet from one.

Honestly if you give formula you'd be best to give a 'normal' one and then follow vegetarian/vegan diet when weaning, then switching to something like oat milk when baby is one.

Oh lord. I’m not vegan but really, you show quite the lack of understanding.

Sma formula was vegetarian when my DC were small. Not sure if it still is.

Have you considered expressing your breastmilk and giving your baby this via bottle?

Kendamill are quite unethical in their marketing.

See first steps nutrition for scientific appraisal of the formulas.

This is a really good point, thank you so much.