Vegan baby- what’s ur thoughts?

[France2000]

Ok, so I’m a vegan. Hate milk and meat, in my opinion we’re not supposed to ingest it. But I know babies need milk, although I’m not convinced an entirely different species’ breast milk is the answer lol. Has anyone raised a vegan baby? Looking for advice on the subject, thank u x

I'd speak to your health visitor/midwife about it

Why would you need to give it a different species milk? Give it your own breast milk?

I think I'd speak to a dietician who specialises as a regular health visitor wouldn't have the I depth knowledge to make sure a baby on a vegan diet is getting then right nutrition.

And what if I can’t breast feed? Just looking into every option.

Thank u, I shall do that :-) x

I have dairy intolerant children. They don't eat dairy, I breastfed them and then they went into coconut milk etc. So babies don't need cows milk. Mine have been checked by dietician etc and are perfectly balanced so don't need extra supplements etc. I believe children can be vegan and perfectly healthy.

Extended breastfeeding will be a must I would think as oat/ but milks are not supposed to be their primary source of milk until 3years. I’d be worried at toddlers needing a high fat diet and that would be tricky without dairy but not impossible. In terms of protein/ nutrients etc I would imagine you’d need to be very careful in ensuring they’re getting everything they need. My dd has a friend who is vegan at pre school so some families certainly manage it. It could of course be coincidental but he is very pale and seems to be permanently tired.

You can get soy baby formula

I am vegetarian and breastfed my two for a over 2.5 years each.

I know baby eating as the family does is what your supposed to do these days but I bought a book by carol timperley which was so good I still make food from it! Let me know if you want the title.

Nut not but

I'm presuming you are not breast feeding? There are lots of stories relating to parents being prosecuted for neglect after giving their children a vegan diet. I don't have any issue with people having their principles but not at the expense of another person's long term health and wellbeing. As pp says, I'd properly consult with qualified professionals.

I breastfed til around 2. But there are so many dairy alternatives these days so that I just used those with weaning. The dietician was happy and my kids are healthy. My dairy eating child is the least healthy looking one

Ok thank u. And do u think it’s advised that dairy bang formula is the best? I just don’t know either way and don’t want to impose my beliefs on the baby xx

Speak to a professional.

Humans need vitamin b12 to survive, which is only found naturally in animal products. You’ll have to supplement this and other vitamins

I know a 13 year old vegan...
Well vegan at home, so his parents think...
He isn't into sweets, but we took him out to dinner and cinema once, he asked for a steak and ate it, practically lucked the plate, told DD not to tell his mum as it would hurt her, but that he adored meat.

As someone said you can take a horse to water you can't make him drink.

Oh really? That’s very interesting! I personally think dairy is bad for humans, and given that one of urs has diary can u see there’s a difference in them? X

Yes if it wanted meat I would give it meat as it’s their choice xx

Ok thank u x

18 month old vegan since birth, I did breastfeed, however I looked into soy formulas before hand, they're not massively available and those that are often contain added vitamins derived from animal sources.
In the end, I decided I would use 'Earths Best' but never needed it (and now I don't think it was that great either!)
Are you on Facebook? I recommend groups like, 'how vegan children thrive' for advice, I found that our health visitor didn't know much about it, and seemed to just push we needed dairy.

We also visited a nutritionist when DC was 1 to make sure we were doing everything right.

I would have given up on it for my child if I was concerned at any point, the health of DC outweighed any moral value for me, but now they're a healthy, good weight, happy young toddler - and I often get asked how I get them to eat vegetables! 😂

There is no vegan baby formula available in the UK suitable from birth (even dairy free have lanolin and potentially fish oils)

I'm Vegan and breastfeeding and will raise my baby as a vegan too - have spoken to HV who has experience with this and she is not concerned at all as I explained how I am knowledgeable in this diet.

If you can't breastfeed then a non vegan based formula (assuming you are UK based is your best bet) you can't feed the baby nut or oat milk for example

I would aim to breastfeed until 2-3 years and give dairy based formula and then cows milk until age 3 if I couldn't achieve that.

Oh yes please!!! Yes the husband loves meat so I will have a battle on my hands I think lol x

I just don’t know either way and don’t want to impose my beliefs on the baby xx

In that case, just try to breastfeed baby and if that doesn't work, give baby any regular baby milk and bring him/her up with a normal diet of meat, fish, vegetables and dairy until he/she is older and can choose to go Vegan if they wish.

Even if you are not vegetarian or vegan, the advice is to supplement all BF babies after 6 months, as it’s very difficult to get them the iron they need.

My children are third generation vegetarians, but I wouldn’t consider veganism. A fussy toddler stage is difficult enough, without ruling out another entire food group.