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The Vegetarian Family
Our family consumes a vegetarian diet. Are there any nutrients I should be concerned about for my breastfed infant?
Two nutrients which you may want to be concerned about are vitamins D and B12. Vitamin D is in human milk, but in very low amounts, and may not be sufficient enough for a baby. Vitamin B12 is mainly in animal products. If you are practicing a strict vegetarian diet that does not include dairy products or eggs, and you do not take vitamin supplements that contain vitamin B12, you should consider some alternatives.
Since my baby can make his own vitamin D, why should I be concerned?
Your baby only makes vitamin D by being exposed to sunlight. If you take your infant outdoors on a regular basis and his skin is not completely covered, the baby will make his own vitamin D. Very little sunlight is needed to make sufficient amounts of vitamin D. However, you should be concerned if you live in a northern climate that has long winters, and your baby is not taken outdoors regularly. In this situation, you may want to give your infant vitamins which contain vitamin D.
What about vitamin B12?
If you consume dairy and egg products, there should not be a problem with vitamin B12, since your milk should contain enough for your baby. However, if you avoid these products, you may want to take a vitamin B12 supplement to be sure that there is enough in your milk. If you do not take vitamin supplements, commercially available cereals are often fortified with vitamin B12, and you could eat these to improve your vitamin B12 status. They can also be mixed with your milk or soy formula and fed to your baby when he is older. Another option is to give your baby vitamin B12 supplements. That way you can be sure he is getting enough for proper growth and nerve development.
How do I know if my baby is not receiving enough vitamin B12?
You should pay attention to the developmental milestones of your baby. If your baby is not crawling, sitting, or walking at the appropriate ages, you should be concerned. Babies who are deficient in vitamin B12 will develop slower than babies who are not deficient.
Milk is supposedly a good source of calcium, but I do not like to eat milk products. Should I be worried about calcium for my baby and me?
You can get calcium from broccoli and dark green leafy vegetables such as mustard, kale, dandelion, spinach, and collard greens. Soy products (such as soy milk, tofu, and tempeh) also are good sources of calcium. Although some people are concerned that the calcium in these sources may not be absorbed as easily as the calcium in milk products, there is no evidence that individuals who consume these foods are deficient in calcium.
My health care provider thinks that both my baby and I should be taking iron supplements. Iron makes us constipated. What else can we do to be sure we are getting enough iron?
Studies have shown that iron will not make your baby constipated. Iron is found in dark green leafy vegetables as well as whole or enriched grains, cereals, or breads. Some nuts and dried fruits are good sources of iron. You can feed your baby iron-fortified cereal with vitamin C-fortified apple juice. The vitamin C in the apple juice should improve the absorption of the iron that is in the cereal.
My baby is 6 months old and I will begin introducing foods into his diet soon. Do you have any suggestions on which foods should be introduced?
Cereals should be the first food introduced, followed by fruits. You should introduce only one new food at a time, so that it will be easier to determine if your baby is allergic to any new food item.
When should I start introducing foods into my baby’s diet?
The American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended that solid foods be introduced between 4 and 6 months of age. This would be a good time to introduce a cereal.
I have been told that, due to their high fiber content, vegetarian foods are too filling for babies and that as a result they do not receive enough calories. Is this true, and how do I know?
This may be true, but you can avoid this by feeding your baby foods high in fiber after other higher calorie foods, such as human milk, dairy products, or fruit, are given. You will know if your baby is not receiving enough calories if he is not growing or is not following his growth curve.
Will my baby get enough protein when I begin to introduce solid foods?
As long as your baby is getting breast milk or other milk products, there should be no reason to worry. Soy products and legumes also have a high protein content.
Is my breast milk different than the milk of meat eaters?
Yes, the fatty acid content may be different, as well as the vitamin B12 and vitamin D content. Those who eat meat and dairy products will have higher amounts of vitamin B12 and vitamin D. Your baby should be taken outdoors on a regular basis in order to make sure he is making enough vitamin D.
Is there a problem if grains are introduced too early?
Grains, in the form of cereal, are the first foods that should be introduced into your baby’s diet, and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that these be started between 4 and 6 months of life.
Will my baby have more or less colic if I’m a vegetarian?
Colic is generally not due to the diet of the infant or the mother. It has been related more to over stimulation of the infant. However, if the infant has a cow’s milk allergy, mothers who are taking cow’s milk may note increased irritability in their infant.
How will I know if my baby is not getting enough protein, vitamin D, calcium, vitamin B12, or iron?
If your baby is not getting enough protein, he may not grow well. If your baby is not getting enough vitamin D or calcium, the bones, especially in the legs, ribs, and wrists, may be abnormal in shape and may not grow as well. If your baby is not getting enough vitamin B12, he may not be as active as other babies the same age, and may sit and walk at a later age. If your baby is not getting enough iron, he may be pale and tire easily. Consult your health care provider if you have any concerns about your child’s nutrition and development.
When can I introduce legumes?
If your baby is tolerating cereals, you can introduce well-cooked legumes. It is important to remember to start only one new food at a time so that you can identify any allergies your baby may have.
I know that there are a lot of adults who don’t drink any milk after weaning. Why should we give the baby milk anyway?
You do not necessarily have to give your baby cow’s milk formulas after weaning. When your child reaches 1 year of age, cow’s milk is a good source of calcium and protein, and if you choose not to give cow’s milk, you should make sure your baby is getting these nutrients from other sources. Dark leafy vegetables, soy milk, and soy-based infant formulas are a source of calcium. Soy-based infant formula, soy milk, and legumes are also sources of protein.
I don’t especially like doctors. They are always giving us pills and medicines. I want to keep a natural diet. How should I take care of my-first-born baby when I’m on a natural diet?
There are many pediatricians and health care providers who respect a parent’s decision to raise their children on a vegetarian or natural diet. You should contact your local vegetarian organization or other parents who are practicing vegetarians to get the names of these physicians.
Is the diet of a strict vegetarian (vegan) adequate in protein and other nutrients and vitamins?
The major concern with a vegan diet is with vitamin B12 deficiency. Vitamin B12 deficiency in infants fed human milk may occur when the mother is consuming a vegan diet. Other often-mentioned concerns are protein and calcium, although these nutrients may be obtained in a well-balanced vegan diet.
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