Breastfeeding as a vegan

[FunnyOrca]

Hello,

My baby is 4 weeks old and is exclusively breastfed. It is going well with regards to latch and comfort.

I sought advice about from a midwife about her cluster feeding. It was a midwife at a breastfeeding group, not my own, so she does not know I’m vegan and I didn’t bring it up. She asked how I was eating and said I would need about 10g more protein and additional fat than my regular diet.

I am not super aware of my protein intake, short of just making sure I have a source with each meal. I am aware now that I probably need more. Does anyone have any tips for snacks etc that might bulk up protein? I’ve seen the “protein” milks and wondering if they are worth it?

I am also finding myself incredibly time poor in the kitchen! I have ingredients to make an edamame and chickpea hummus and just have not had time! I’m reaching for a lot of fruit and if I get a minute I’m spending it making coffee to keep going!

Tofu - crispy fried

OP has been advised to eat more protein and fat. All fats are calorie dense.

OP hasn't said anything about calories or weight but if this was a concern she'd need to cut carbs, not fat, because she's been advised she needs more fat.

Nuts are ideal. Plenty of protein, plenty of fat, easy to eat as a snack.

Sorry this was to @PumpkinTwistyWindToots

Sounds like it's time for the famous Mumsnet batch cooked Huge Pot of Dahl.

Is your child is getting all the extra nutrients it needs through supplementation?

Curious that a human baby fed on breast milk is considéréd vegan. Surely not as we are animals.

Is your child is getting all the extra nutrients it needs through supplementation?

NHS recommends vitamin D for all EBF babies. Op's milk should be sufficient for everything else unless she is severely malnourished.

It’s the milk from the babies own mother. No exploitation.

I agree that cluster feeding in the evening is completely normal, how are you both getting on now @FunnyOrca?

As for the protein, I think with DC2 I ate way too much Halva…

This milk thing is genuinely fascinating. I promise I am not being disingenuous- just trying to understand the thinking.

What if I had a much loved and pampered cow kept in the most luxurious surroundings and fed on the finest food, and gave her milk away for free, would that be considered vegan?

@Words No, because the cow hasn't chosen to give her milk away for free. And what is happening to her calves? She needs to keep breeding to keep up her milk supply.

Nuts, hummus, dark chocolate for iron.

Sounds like about half of my diet!

Watch your calcium too.

BDA have good fact sheets on high protein foods and high calcium foods.

Also mine!

Still absolutely starving all the time! 😂 and despite all the eating, still losing weight somehow.

I’m eating generous protein servings at every meal now and keeping a stash of roasted chickpeas to hand. I am also finding time to prepare food too so that is helping. Baby continues to cluster feed on some days but not every day! Also discovered that we were going a bit wrong with daytime sleep and the shift there REALLY helped.

Thank you to everyone who chimed in!

Yes it is. Humans are animals.

Yes of course we are. But breast milk isn't a 'product' as in it's not extracted from an animal without their consent - no animal is harmed or exploited to provide it, it's freely given by the mother to sustain her child. It's milk produced naturally by the parent animal for the offspring. If you can't see why that makes it not an animal product then you don't understand what being a vegan is.

I can’t think of the name but there’s a place that does this and they keep the calf.
You can buy the cheese, but it’s ££££££ and a massive waiting list.

Quick edit chia seeds, almonds are high in protein and good for a snack!

Porridge with chia seeds and nut butter or tahini is great for breastfeeding. Oats are good for milk production too.

Glad the daytime sleep is a little better. Have you tried Halva yet?

I’m sorry, I actually don’t like it that much. My husband is a big fan. I’m aware I’m aware the odd ball.