Vegetarianism for Baby?
Article By Sarah Day, CNM, IBCLC

It seems after a painstaking investigation of the subject, experts have now agreed that a baby can be successfully reared on a vegetarian diet.

There are; however, differing degrees of vegetarianism. The Vegan diet allows only the consumption of plant foods. Such a diet can be nutritionally inadequate, especially during pregnancy and early childhood. The bulky, high fiber, and high water content of a Vegan diet can make it difficult for the young, rapidly growing child to eat enough to satisfy their need for protein and energy. With careful planning, adequate protein and energy can be supplied via legumes (pulses), nuts (use only smooth nut butters and finely ground nut meal for children less than seven years old), soy products, cereals and grains.

Special care is also needed to ensure adequate intakes of the essential minerals calcium, iron and zinc. The amounts of vitamins supplied by a vegetarian diet are generally adequate except for vitamin B12 which, since it is found most exclusively in animal products, is often insufficient in Vegan diets. A vitamin B12 supplement or soy milk supplemented with B12 is recommended during pregnancy and breastfeeding when demand for the vitamin is high.

Up to the age of six months, babies will receive all the nourishment they need from breast milk. Special soy based formula are available for children under one year of age.

Lacto-vegetarianism, a diet which encompasses plant foods, milk, and milk products, can be acceptable to the baby and small child if cautiously and sensibly administered. This too will need special attention to iron and zinc.

A further category of vegetarianism, Lacto-ovo, is by far the most suitable, allowing as it does plant foods, milk, and milk products as well as eggs. This diet can provide adequate protein and the volume of fiber is not excessive.

Add to this diet fish, Pesco-vegetarianism, and you have a range of health-giving natural foods to choose from, which should allow for complete nourishment of any child.

Milk Is A Must

Up to the age of one year, a child requires four times the protein of an adult, weight for weight. The mother who plans to rear a vegetarian child should breast feed for as long as possible, at least six months while ensuring that her own diet is well-chosen and supplemented where necessary. Then between the age of six months and one year, the child can be weaned onto fortified formula. Milk is a must. Specially developed soy-based infant formulas are available for the baby whose parents chose to follow the Vegan diet.

There are many soy-based milk substitutes on the market but few are suitable as the main milk supply for young children or pregnant and breastfeeding Vegan women. Be sure to buy one which is appropriately fortified, your doctor or health nurse or dietician can advise you.

Introducing Vegetarian Foods

Like any other child, the vegetarian baby can be offered first solids at around four and a half to six months of age. These will not differ from what would be offered to a baby on an ordinary diet, rice cereal mixed with milk or formula, unsweetened mashed banana, apple, avocado, and additional liquids in the form of fresh, fruit juices. These can be gradually increased until the eighth month, when new foods can be introduced.

Even at this stage the diet will not be noticeably different from that of a child on a regular diet. Eggs, creamed cottage cheese, a variety of fruits and vegetables, pureed dried beans and peas, milk based desserts and cream sauces.

Meats and meat based gravies, sauces and soups will be avoided. If the child is to be offered fish, this can take the place of meat in the diet from about seven to eight months of age. Meat substitutes, soy based products and nut meats can also be included in the baby's diet. Check the labelling though, some contain high amounts of salt, MSG (monosodium glutamate) and other flavor enhancers, preservatives and artificial colorings.

Suitable Vegetarian Foods For Baby

A Lacto-ovo vegetarian diet for a young child can have plenty of variety, especially if parents exercise their imagination:

Eggs: Use often and cook in various ways, hard or soft boiled, poached, scrambled, omelette, steamed or baked custard. As is applicable to any other child, do not offer egg whites until the child has become accustomed to egg yolks and have shown no allergic reaction. Begin with mashed hard boiled egg yolks, then graduate to other preparations. Never give the child raw eggs.

Creamed Cottage Cheese: Also ricotta, soft cheese and cream cheese. Puréed or diluted with milk, these can be one of baby's staple foods.

Cereals: Rice, oats, millet, and barely at first then gradually introduce wheat. Home-made hot cereals and muesli are great sources as well.

Pulses: All dried beans and peas are protein rich. Cook until tender, the puree and serve with other vegetables, dilute with milk and use in the place of gravy, or make into soups.

Milk: Offer plenty of milk puddings, milk based sauces, soups and milk drinks.

Fruit and Vegetables: After the sixth month of age, most vegetables and fruits are acceptable.

Remember to introduce all new foods separately and allow three or four days between each for any symptoms of intolerance to appear. If there are any signs discontinue this food and refer to your doctor.

The food you select for your baby will help him/her to grow and thrive. They will also have a marked effect on her mental growth. No undernourished baby will progress satisfactorily. Nourishment does not rely on bulk, but on the selection of food items which will work together to build their body, supply energy and keep them active and alert.

Careless vegetarianism can be dangerous, even fatal for a child. The damage can be done even before the baby is born. Mothers to be should avoid taking up a strict vegetarian diet for the first time until after the baby is born, or even until breastfeeding is completed. Children born to recently converted vegetarian mothers can have inherent deficiencies. This need not be so of a practising vegetarian mother who has enjoyed the benefits of a well balanced vegetarian diet for some time.

About the Author:

Sarah Day is a certified nurse midwife, mother of 2 children. She is on the All About Moms Ask A Midwife expert panel.

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Copyright © 2001 Sarah Day, All Rights Reserved Reprinted with Permission