If we are going to talk about raising a vegan child, we should start at the beginning; with the infant. Babies have very specific nutritional needs, and vegans must be aware of these in order to help their children develop appropriately.

During the first six months of life, infants should only eat breastmilk or formula. Breastmilk is preferable for multiple reasons, but we can discuss those on another day… If you are a vegan choosing not to breastfeed, you can find an organic soy-based formula, although you should be aware that soy-based formulas have been associated with Haschimoto’s Disease in male infants, as well as the feminization of male infants. Always choose formulas fortified with vitamin D and iron. These elements can sometimes cause constipation, but babies need them!

At 4 months, you can begin introducing baby cereal. Start with 2 tbsp of rice cereal mixed with formula per day. Feed this to your baby with a small spoon. If tolerated, you can give up to 3 tbsp per day. Do not mix rice cereal with formula in a bottle, this can lead to two things: 1) The rice cereal will clog the bottle’s nipple hole and your baby will not get enough nutrition, or 2) You will use a knife or scissors to open up the bottle’s nipple hole, causing too much food to pass and your baby will be overfed.

At 6 months, you can introduce baby food. Home-made vegetables that are steamed and mashed are always best because they do not include preservatives, salt, or sugar. Always introduce vegetables first, then fruits. This is because fruits are sweet and your baby will like them, and then will not take to vegetables later. Introduce only one vegetable or fruit per week and observe for allergic reactions. Introduce orange vegetables first, then yellow vegetables, then green ones, then fruit. Continue providing breast milk or formula as you introduce foods. Babies should also begin transitioning from bottle to sippy cup at this point. This is because the eustation tubes in a child’s ears are small, and the pressure from sucking on a bottle increases with age, leading to ear infections.

Juice can also be introduced at 6 months, although you should be aware that juice has no nutritional value, and can cause diarrhea in babies under 6 months. Children, regardless of age, should not have more than 4 oz of juice per day, and it should always be given with water (1 part juice to 2 parts water).

At one year, you can introduce milk. That means soy milk or whole milk only. The American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend reduced-fat milks until 2 years of age, so even if you think your baby is too chubby?, it is not time for a diet! To wean your child from breastmilk or formula; replace one serving of breastmilk or formula with one serving of soy milk or whole milk per week. Once your child has completely transitioned to soy milk or whole milk, they should have about 12-24 oz per day, compared to 36-48 oz of breastmilk or formula per day, which they were having before.

About the Author
Joana R. Duran graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing from the University of Washington. She completed her residency in pediatrics as the Children’s Hospital of Los Angles, where she continues to work as a Registered Nurse, delivering care to oncology patients requiring diagnostic workup, standard and investigational chemotherapy, and treatment of complications of therapy.

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