Vegan and breastfeeding

[Cheekyandfreaky]

Hi all, recently had to give up dairy and eggs due to allergies- they made my asthma crazy. Since giving them up my symptoms have really improved but I missed dairy so to make myself feel better I watched some vegan documentaries thinking they would motivate me not to eat dairy and eggs. Well now they make me want to give up meat and fish but I’m breastfeeding.

I’m taking the pregnacare breastfeeding supplements, would that be enough to ensure my breast milk has enough b12 etc? Or would you keep eating meat/fish until I stop breastfeeding? Can I take some other supplements? I’m actually generally not a big meat and fish eater anyway but now I’m confused! Any advice?

Bump, anyone?

Hi cheeky, the vegan society has info here

I breastfed but I had the occasional free range egg in something (rare...it was more difficult back then to get vegan food if out and starving hungry!). I took Pregnacare but the guidelines for b12 have changed in the last decade for vegans, so you may need to add something else or just make sure you are definitely getting enough fortified products in addition to the Pregnacare. You need to ensure you get omega 3s as well, you can get those from linseed/chia seed (linseed is best ground...I stir it into porridge/put in a smoothie) and you can get supplements made from marine algae...which is how the fish get their omega 3!

Thanks @dangermouseisace will go and get some marine algae and I have a flaxseed mix to put on cereal which I think is linseed based.

The link gives some info but I guess I was hoping for some magic ‘vegan breastfeeding supplement’ pill existed so I didn’t have to think too much!

I would love eggs but they drive my asthma and eczema crazy. Right, going to think about it.

Flaxseed and linseed is the same thing. I've just received something called Opti3 omega 3 EPA &DHA off Amazon and it's vegan society approved. Expensive but not eating meat/dairy etc brings down food costs so not so bad....

Marmite