Should baby be vegan

[Confusedmaa]

My daughter is vegan and currently pregnant. What do other vegans do in terms of bringing up their children. Should the baby be strict vegan or would being brought up with mainly plant based diet but some non vegan elements be ok. Would the baby need extra vitamins once fully weaned? Would intolerances build up if they aren't introduced to all food groups? I feel that she should explore all of the options. On more of a social point, I had a vegan friend growing up and they were never invited to parties or to anyone's house for tea. They always seemed so upset when treats were offered at school or birthday cake shared out as they weren't allowed any. This was in the 80s so not much understanding back then. I know that's not the end of the world and I really don't want to come across as ignorant but I'd just feel like I want to hear peoples experiences.

It's not really your business is it?

My SIL is vegan and not bringing her child up vegan - they will make their own choice when old enough.

My children are lifelong vegans (now teens/tweens) and thriving - robust, fit, perfect - and they have been invited to loads of parties - it's so easy these days to cater for them.

Either way, it's up to your daughter and the child's father.

I can't imagine being vegan and NOT doing the same for my children.

I think veganism is a choice someone makes when they are old enough to understand that choice.

I know a vegan couple and they're bringing up their child vegan. He seems like a happy and healthy child.

Why should eating meat be the starting point? Meat-eating should be the choice someone makes when they are old enough to understand that choice.

I'm not vegan so can't speak to most of your points but believe it is possible to bring a child up vegan with a lot of thought about nutrition.Whether it is easy to do is another question probably best answered by a dietitian.
All babies should take some vitamins so the B12 can be incorporated into those .
They would not be likely to develop more intolerances.
I get your point about it being more awkward for others to cater for them but this is a minor issue and lots of families are vegan , or close to it, now so general knowledge about is improving rapidly.

Depends if she successfully breastfeeds or not. My vegan friends had a vegan baby but they did extended breastfeeding (as did non vegan me). Then there’s less of a worry about nutrition.
They did try all the allergens just so they knew though. I think that’s important.

I think it's just too restrictive when toddlers and young kids can be so fussy and limited with what they'll eat anyway. I wouldn't want to restrict their choices any further.
Personally I don't eat meat but my child does because she likes it. She's more than welcome to cut it out or go vegan if she decides in the future.

There's no reason why vegans shouldn't be able to provide all the necessary nutrients for a baby or a child.

A vegan child can chose to eat meat when older just as a meat eating child can chose to go vegan when older

All parents get to make the choices for their children when little.

People are (generally) more understanding of different dietary requirements these days do parties etc shouldn't be an issue.

Although there is still some prejudice - it will appear on this thread.

Schools usually don't allow birthday food treats for this reason and allergies.

I say all this as a meat eater.

Well she's asked me for advice so I can't really dismiss her and say it's not my business

I expressed my opinion.
You expressed yours.
I live in a country where we can do that, I'm not here to argue.

It's not just meat, though, it is all animal products.

Personally I wouldn't. It requires very careful dietary choices for a baby and growing child; they need protein and a fussy eater would limit the choices even more.

Bringing them up as a vegetarian, probably yes, but, as someone else said, I think veganism is a choice someone makes when they are old enough to understand that choice

We are omnivores so by default we should be exposed to both, before excluding either.

I agree with this.

In what other areas of life are parents questioned if they bring up a child within their culture. Should atheist parents bring their children up religious or with different political viewpoints to their own?

@Butwhybecause

I think veganism is a choice someone makes when they are old enough to understand that choice

Why is this true 👆 and the below is not true 👇

I think meat eating is a choice someone makes when they are old enough to understand that choice

Is it not just a matter of opinion/ perspective?

We are vegetarian but raising DC with an omnivorous diet. They can make up their mind when older.

Ideally children shouldn't be brought up in any religion but educated about as many as possible, however some people still indoctrinate.

I think that's very sensible tbh.
Children often know their minds quite early on, but it's easier to properly decide if they've had options already.

@Werweisswohin

Ideally children shouldn't be brought up in any religion but educated about as many as possible, however some people still indoctrinate.

In your opinion....

Both can be true, because they are opinions. I gave my opinion.

I don't think I suggested otherwise?

Totally agree, and I'm a meat eater.

I have a vegan friend, she has brought up her children as vegetarians not vegan. Her main reason for this is that they are to fussy with eating and unlike her as an adult don't understand all the different things they need to eat to have a good healthy balanced vegan diet. She also gave them supplements.

I do think you have to be really careful with a child's diet and do your research and know exactly what you are doing if you are going to give the a vegan diet (it's possibly easier now then it used to be as more readily avaible alternative in supermarkets) As it can be easy to miss out some vital nutrition if not careful.

You don't have to become a true believer of a religion to learn about that religion though.