How to Feed a Baby a Vegan Diet

It is Possible to Safely Feed Your Baby a Vegan Diet

Many parents who follow a vegan diet wonder if such a diet is acceptable for their baby. It is possible for your entire family to follow a vegan diet and still raise a happy, healthy baby. Such a lifestyle may even decrease the risk of heart disease, cancer, and other illnesses. However, there are some concerns about feeding a meat and animal-free diet to a child.

Instructions

1. Breastfeed your baby. Try to breastfeed for at least a year. This will ensure that your baby gets most of the nutrients that she needs for the first 12 months of her life. If you are unable to breastfeed and want to follow a vegan diet, you will likely choose a soy-based formula. Be sure to discuss soy-based possibilities with your baby's doctor.

2. Consider supplements. Talk with your baby's doctor about adding an infant supplement to your baby's diet. Your doctor may recommend a formula that contains iron, vitamin D, folic acid and vitamin B. Your baby will almost definitely need a supplement once he is weaned from breastmilk or formula.

3. Give only whole grains to your baby. When your baby begins eating cereals, give her whole-grain cereals and breads. Whole-grains will provide her with more vitamins and proteins that most people get from animal products.

4. Feed your baby tofu. Tofu and other soy products with give your baby proteins when he is able to eat solid foods. When your baby is about a year old, you may begin feeding him well cooked brown rice, mashed peas and chickpeas, and whole grain pastas.

5. Focus on calorie intake. Babies grow rapidly and, therefore, need plenty of calories in their diet. Getting enough calories on a vegan diet may prove challenging. Make sure that your baby is thriving and gaining enough weight. If your doctor is concerned that she is not gaining enough weight, you can up her intake of breastmilk.

6. Make sure that your baby is getting enough calcium. This will become a concern when he is weaned from breastmilk or formula. Give your baby juice that has calcium added. You can also find tofu products that have added calcium. Broccoli and other green, leafy vegetables are high in calcium. Talk with your doctor about adding a calcium supplement to your baby's diet.

7. Give your baby enough fats. Be sure that he is getting omega-3 fatty acids. These fats are typically found in fish and eggs. Vegetable have none of these acids. Talk with your doctor about giving your baby a DHA supplement.

Tips & Warnings

• A vegan does not eat any foods that contain animal products. This means no fish, beef, chicken, milk, pork, eggs, or cheeses.

• If your baby is not getting enough calories, give her more high calorie fruits and vegetables, such as avocados.

• For the first year, breastmilk or formula will be the most important aspect of your baby's diet. However, you can begin to introduce solids after six month (discuss this with your doctor). Try giving your baby some mashed lentils with some added vegetable oil.

• Discuss any concerns or questions that you have about your baby's diet with your doctor.

• Some experts advise against giving your baby any dairy products until she is a year old.