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.

OP, have her join this fb group for support and advice:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/UKVeganFamilies

Indeed.
A 'true believer' is a nonsensical term anyway, but that's another story/discussion anyway.

NO.
But everyone's choice.

Unbiased advice?

Just because we can, doesn't mean we should. We CAN consume meat and dairy. Doesn't mean it is optimally healthy for us (it is not).

No, of course not, why should a GM care about the health of her gd?? 🙄🙄🙄

As unbiased as yours?

There is that!
I am a committed atheist btw

I've not posted any links or given advice regarding nutrition.
I've expressed an opinion.
Again, is this unbiased advice?

Because introducing a new food into your diet later on might not be a comfortable experience. Better to let the body know what's what and then decide later on if you want to cut something out.

I think from my perspective is that it doesn't really have to be one way or the other. if the baby is breastfed and weaning is always veg to start off with and then portions of the meals parents, so all vegan but then if vegan options aren't available it's ok for the baby to have that. When they are older and they ask for something that's not vegan they should be able to try it. I think I'm trying to say just go with the flow and see how it all works out. Don't think I'm explaining very well but I hope you get where I'm coming from.

If this was my dd I'd suggest a compromise of bringing the baby/child up vegetarian rather than vegan.

I think easy protein, calcium sources such as milk, yogurt and eggs are useful for growing kids.

It will depend a bit on the child though, I was extremely fussy (I think probably ARFID in hindsight) child and a vegan diet would have been too restrictive for me then and now tbh.

Me too, but I think it's important to teach children about the concept of religion and the variety of religions which exist.

You're explaining it perfectly well and it makes sense.

General health advice is no to bringing children up vegan - they can't get adequate nutrients. Believe Germany has very strongly advocated against it.

Different things work for different people. I eat meat in moderation but also love some veggie and vegan options. I've been veggie and vegan but found, ultimately, that I feel healthier and happier including meat and dairy in my diet.

Veganism during pregnancy, breastfeeding and childhood does seem to have associated risks for the child.

It is interesting that it is automatically assumed that a vegan or vegetarian diet is going to be nutritionally poor without very careful management.
There are plenty of omnivores who have awful diets who go on to give their children poor diets.

If the parents believe it is wrong to eat meat and dairy, then it IS one way or the other.

How long has your daughter been vegan? I was a long-term established vegan before I had children, and assured of my choices - doesn't sound like she is. Is the father vegan?

I have raised my children vegan, and at this stage of their lives (teens/tweens) they have never contemplated eating meat or dairy - it is as horrible a notion to them as eating dog meat or drinking cat milk.

I think starting with a vegetarian diet is sensible as vegan is very restrictive. Also it can be quite reliant on nuts for protein and cooking which is tricky in schools etc. A lot of vegan prepared food is ultra processed which isn't great either.

Just what I was thinking!

I'm vegetarian and DH not. I said children could choose so when very young they were pretty much vegetarian then they chose to eat meat. DS is now a full on carnivore but DD chose to be a vegetarian like me.

While they are young it is parents choice and parents choice only.

We are talking about informed choice. How can child make an informed choice, if denied one side of that choice from birth?

My children have a varied diet - it just doesn't include animal flesh or bodily secretions.

Depends, is she going to feed her child enough food for them to grow and developed adequately? If so then ofc baby should be vegan. If she’s going to feed the baby nothing but fruit and veg then no, the baby shouldn’t be.

Though interestingly enough unless she plans to formula feed, that baby won’t be vegan at the start of its life.

I am vegetarian and brought my boys up as omnivores, thinking they could make their own choice when they were older. However, I didn't want to cook much meat at home so they ended up with a mainly veggie diet. They are now 18, 14 and mainly eat veggie, but do occasionally eat meat when out. I think they have a really varied diet and are the least fussy kids I know.
I do remember when my eldest was about 5 taking them to a family pub lunch and asking him what he wanted for lunch, he was sat at the other side of the table with granny and he just shouted back MEAT! I did wonder at that point if he had been deprived, but he doesn't seem fussed now 🤣!