Guest guest Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 If your child is breastfeeding, she is already getting all she needs, and will continue to do so until weaning. Where did you hear that it was difficult to get calcium as an infant? If it was a mainstream source (not a vegan one), the information is most likely incorrect. Same for the protein information, when and if that comes up. Reputable, nutritionally-minded doctors (such as Dr. John McDougall) have said that they have NEVER seen a case of protein deficiency in any of the vegans they know of, and have never heard of a single case, either. Your child will get calcium from the same exact sources you do, once she is eating solids--leafy greens, sesame seeds/tahini, fortified soymilk, oranges and orange juice, etc. Just an aside, and it's for everyone--not picking on ANYONE. Find a pediatrician who is familiar with, and comfortable with, vegan diets. Otherwise you may have a lot of misinformation thrown at you--and new parents can be vulnerable to advice from the " experts " . Most doctors haven't got a CLUE about vegan/vegetarian nutrition. Marilyn **************The year's hottest artists on the red carpet at the Grammy Awards. Go to AOL Music. (http://music.aol.com/grammys?NCID=aolcmp00300000002565) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 Hi! I'm new here and was wondering about starting an infant on a vegan diet. My daughter is 4 months and I've been reading baby food cookbooks in preparation for serving her solids in a couple of months. It seems like it may be difficult for infants to get enough calcium. (since you can't introduce soy or other dairy alternatives until around 10 months). Does anyone have experience with vegan infants? I am considering doing a little organic dairy for her in the beginning but would prefer not to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 My kids are 3.5 and 1.5. They are vegan at home and lacto outside the house. I've never worried about them getting any particular nutrient. I feed them a variety of food... they eat a lot of fruit and veggies, whole grains, soy milk, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 After my daughter weaned from breastmilk she continued to take soy formula until she was about 2 years old. We used the follow-up formula for 4 months & up until she was 12 months old and then we used the Stage 2 Toddler Soy Formula until she was 2 years old. I know was a long time ago and the formulas have changed quite a bit. She ate baby foods such as veggies, fruits and baby cereal (oatmeal, rice, etc) again until she was around 22 months or so before I started to give her 'grown-up' foods. I don't understand why you'd be wanting to give a 4 month old or a 10 month old for that matter soy milk or dairy alternatives instead of breastmilk or soy formula. Renee food4u1575 <dana.sommers wrote: Hi! I'm new here and was wondering about starting an infant on a vegan diet. My daughter is 4 months and I've been reading baby food cookbooks in preparation for serving her solids in a couple of months. It seems like it may be difficult for infants to get enough calcium. (since you can't introduce soy or other dairy alternatives until around 10 months). Does anyone have experience with vegan infants? I am considering doing a little organic dairy for her in the beginning but would prefer not to. Never miss a thing. Make your homepage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 Welcome! Babies get the nutrients that they need from breastmilk (or formula). Solids are introduced more to get them used to eating them. Before babies first birthday, avoid the " allergy triggers " . Off the top of my head: wheat, dairy, citrus, strawberries, eggs, soy, nuts, peanuts. I am sure that someone will chime in with what I'm missing. food4u1575 <dana.sommers wrote: Hi! I'm new here and was wondering about starting an infant on a vegan diet. My daughter is 4 months and I've been reading baby food cookbooks in preparation for serving her solids in a couple of months. It seems like it may be difficult for infants to get enough calcium. (since you can't introduce soy or other dairy alternatives until around 10 months). Does anyone have experience with vegan infants? I am considering doing a little organic dairy for her in the beginning but would prefer not to. Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Search. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 For the first year, she should still be mainly nursing or on formula. They will not have trouble getting calcium as they should still be getting most of their nutrients from nursing /formula. Think of the introduction of foods more as something to do with her rather than replacing nursing/bottle feeding. Her serving sizes will start out at about 1 teaspoon and most of that will not be going into her mouth. LOL. A book that I found tremendously helpful for me/us was " Super Baby Food " by Ruth Yaron. She's got a chart for what to start and when, and recipes, things to do, and all kinds of helpful info. We still use some of the recipes for all of us (especially the master baking mix, and the skillet hodgepodge which was easy to veganize,btw). She does recommend milk stuffs when they're older (yogurt/cheese/milk poweder) but our son has a milk protien allergy, which is what prompted us to go vegan in the first place since we were already vegetarian before he was born, but we sub'd vegan versions and most things work pretty well). Missie On Feb 11, 2008 2:35 PM, food4u1575 <dana.sommers wrote: > Hi! I'm new here and was wondering about starting an infant on a vegan > diet. My daughter is 4 months and I've been reading baby food cookbooks > in preparation for serving her solids in a couple of months. It seems > like it may be difficult for infants to get enough calcium. (since you > can't introduce soy or other dairy alternatives until around 10 > months). Does anyone have experience with vegan infants? I am > considering doing a little organic dairy for her in the beginning but > would prefer not to. > > > -- http://mszzzi.zoomshare.com http://www.flickr.com/photos/mszzzi/ ~~~~~(m-.-)m Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 hi there, i've got two children (2.5 and 4yrs). i've been vegan for 10years, so had two vegan pregnancies and vegan infants and toddlers. 6mths ago we started with eggs and sheeps/goat cheese, but before that it was all vegan. my son began solids at about 7mths of age and ate mashed fruit, veg, avocado, then closer to 10mths he had soy yoghurt too. about this time i added in cooked lentils, baked beans, tofu. my daughter didn't eat solids until she was 12mths old, she would gag, vomit and push it away. she went virtually straight to finger foods, fruit, veg, and much the same as her brother. they were both breatfed past 18mths of age, and it is this that gives them all their nutrition. babies can be safely exclusively breastfed to 12mths of age without needing anything else. WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding to at least 6mths, then continued breastfeeds until 2 yrs of age. good luck you with your gorgeous baby, enjoy the breastfeeding, solids is way away for now! pen On 2/12/08, food4u1575 <dana.sommers wrote: > > Hi! I'm new here and was wondering about starting an infant on a vegan > diet. My daughter is 4 months and I've been reading baby food cookbooks > in preparation for serving her solids in a couple of months. It seems > like it may be difficult for infants to get enough calcium. (since you > can't introduce soy or other dairy alternatives until around 10 > months). Does anyone have experience with vegan infants? I am > considering doing a little organic dairy for her in the beginning but > would prefer not to. > > > -- Pen Harvey b 12/03 and Sasha b 08/05 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 12, 2008 Report Share Posted February 12, 2008 I was vegan for years before getting pregnant with my first (now 8 years old) so all three of my children were vegan from birth. They all started solids at different times (my youngest is 5mo. and she is into " social " eating meaning she wants to share when I am eating, but doesn't actually ingest much and I don't give her food every time I eat just when she grabs for it...I let her suck on an apple or mouth a carrot or eat some steamed kale). I see no need to introduce dairy. Most of my friends who aren't vegan don't introduce dairy until after a year or so because of allergies. I nursed my older two (and plan to nurse the youngest) past two years of age. I ate lots of organic leafy greens, beans, nuts, seeds...just the normal stuff I would eat, but paid more attention to get everything I needed so they would get what they needed. Enjoy your little one! Linda http://triballife.net/ A Marketplace for a Better World On 2/12/08, food4u1575 <dana.sommers@ wholefoods. com> wrote: > > Hi! I'm new here and was wondering about starting an infant on a vegan > diet. My daughter is 4 months and I've been reading baby food cookbooks > in preparation for serving her solids in a couple of months. It seems > like it may be difficult for infants to get enough calcium. (since you > can't introduce soy or other dairy alternatives until around 10 > months). Does anyone have experience with vegan infants? I am > considering doing a little organic dairy for her in the beginning but > would prefer not to. > > > -- Pen Harvey b 12/03 and Sasha b 08/05 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 14, 2008 Report Share Posted February 14, 2008 I would like to see vegan adults have complete confidence in the vegan diet for raising children. There is no need to introduce animal products of any kind for a child to grow healthily. In fact it is likely to be detrimental to their health. If you are having doubts and the dairy eaters are nagging you about the need for calcium etc., then I strongly suggest reading The China Study by T Colin Campbell. This excellent book pulls together scientific research from all over the place, that hasn't been funded by meat and dairy corporations, that clearly show the links between 'Western' diseases and consumption of animal proteins, including dairy. All the nutrients a growing child needs can easily be obtained from other sources. I have been vegetarian for 30 years, and vegan for the last 14 of those years. My partner is also vegan and our children are 6.5 and nearly 4 and doing great!. I have just completed an article on raising vegan children <http://www.aact.org.au/vegan_children.htm> which you are welcome to read (links to animal rights group website). I am in Australia, so some product references are not applicable to America, but I believe you have an even wider range of product options available there. There are three key websites I would refer all vegan parents to if they have any concerns about planning their child's diet.. Firstly the American Dietics Association (www.eatright.org <http://www.eatright.org>), who are satisfied that a vegan diet can satisfy all the needs of children from infancy to adolescence. Search for 'vegan children' to see their paper on vegetarian and vegan diets and recommendations for children. Secondly, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine have excellent information on dietry requirements for vegan children (they use the term " vegetarian " on their fact sheet, but the diet they recommend is completely vegan. www.pcrm.org <http://www.pcrm.org>. You can also get the 'new four food groups' from their website, a dietry guide that excludes all animal products. The third site I will recommend is Vegan Health (www.veganhealth.org <http://www.veganhealth.org>) which is written by Registered Dietitian and President of Vegan Outreach, Jack Norris. It has lots of information that every vegan should know to ensure their diet is well balanced and their health a glowing example to non-vegans! Cheers, Karen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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