Things You'll Need:
- Baby Food
- Baby Food Jars
- Baby Formulas
- Juices
- Rice Cereal
- Soy Milk
- Water
- Blenders
- Water
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Step 1
Deciding whether or not to breast-feed is a personal matter, but it is considered the best way to meet an infant's nutritional needs. It also helps boost the immune system.
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Step 2
Give soy-based formula if you decide not to breast-feed. Soy is less likely to cause allergies than cow's-milk-based formulas. Do not give regular soy milk to a baby less than a year old. It is not designed to meet a baby's special needs.
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Step 3
Avoid iron supplements during the baby's first three months, unless your pediatrician prescribes it. Babies are born with high iron stores and usually have enough to last about three months.
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Step 4
Introduce solid foods at about four to six months. This will vary from baby to baby.
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Step 5
Begin with rice cereal, which is easily digestible and the least likely to cause an allergic reaction.
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Step 6
Introduce other foods slowly. You can buy commercial baby foods or puree your own fruits and vegetables in a blender. If you buy prepared foods, buy ones that are free from added sugars, preservatives and any other additives that your baby does not need.
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Step 7
Feed your veggie baby the same as any other baby - except you won't be introducing animal products. You can follow the nutritional guidelines in any baby book and adapt them for a vegetarian diet.
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Step 8
Avoid letting other people convince you that it is necessary to start your baby on cow's milk. When your baby is old enough to come off formula, you can give him or her regular soy milk, juice, water, rice milk and any number of other nutritious beverages.
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Step 9
Make sure your baby is eating enough solids before weaning off of formula or breast-feeding. You want to be sure that all nutritional bases are covered.
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Step 10
Find a pediatrician who supports you in your decision to raise a vegetarian child.
