Re: Vegetarian diets in babies

[Guest guest]

<>I recommend that you visit the vegetarian resource group at

http://www.vrg.org

Here was what I found on part of the site. Hope it helps!

Jane Korsberg, MS,RD,LD

IN THE NEWS: NUTRITION FOR VEGAN INFANTS

We've been receiving a number of inquiries lately about feeding vegan

infants, so we asked Mangels, PhD, RD to give us some tips on

nutrition for vegan infants:

Young vegan infants (younger than 4 to 6 months) should be receiving

only breast milk or, if that is not possible, a commercial soy formula.

Homemade formulas of any sort, soymilk, rice milk, or nut milk should

not be used to replace breast milk or commercial infant formula during

the first year. These foods do not contain the right amount of nutrients

for babies and their use can lead to life-threatening health problems.

Solid foods should be introduced between 4 and 6 months of age. Our

website <http://www.vrg.org/nutrition/pregnancy.htm> provides

information on introducing solid foods. Breastfeeding or use of a

commercial soy formula, should continue at least until the baby is 1

year old, growing normally, and eating a variety of foods. At that time,

commercial soymilk can be introduced as a beverage. Vegan women who are

breastfeeding should use a daily, reliable source of vitamin B-12

(vitamin B-12 supplement or food fortified with vitamin B-12).

If the mother is not using a reliable source of vitamin B-12, the baby

needs a vitamin B-12 supplement. Vegan infants also need reliable

sources of vitamin D and iron.

Fat should not be restricted in the diets of babies age 2 years and

younger. Diets consisting largely of raw foods are not recommended for

babies and young children.

To learn more about feeding vegan babies and children, visit our website

for our article, Vegan Nutrition in Pregnancy and Childhood

<http://www.vrg.org/nutrition/pregnancy.htm>, our Vegetarian Kids and

Teens <http://www.vrg.org/family/kidsindex.htm> page, or join our

vegetarian parenting online discussion list

<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vrgparents/>.

As with all publications of The Vegetarian Resource Group, this article

is not intended to provide personal medical advice. Medical advice

should be obtained from a qualified health professional.

Marg Alfieri wrote:

> Hi

>

> Desperately seeking some educational materials ( background) + handouts

> for a 6 month old baby who will be on a vegan diet. Currently breast

> fed. Didn't ADA have a position paper or article on this?

>

> Many thanks

>

> Marg Alfieri RD

>

>

--

[Guest guest]

with thanks

Jane Korsberg wrote:

> <>I recommend that you visit the vegetarian resource group at

> http://www.vrg.org <http://www.vrg.org>

>

> Here was what I found on part of the site. Hope it helps!

>

> Jane Korsberg, MS,RD,LD

>

> IN THE NEWS: NUTRITION FOR VEGAN INFANTS

>

> We've been receiving a number of inquiries lately about feeding vegan

> infants, so we asked Mangels, PhD, RD to give us some tips on

> nutrition for vegan infants:

>

> Young vegan infants (younger than 4 to 6 months) should be receiving

> only breast milk or, if that is not possible, a commercial soy formula.

> Homemade formulas of any sort, soymilk, rice milk, or nut milk should

> not be used to replace breast milk or commercial infant formula during

> the first year. These foods do not contain the right amount of nutrients

> for babies and their use can lead to life-threatening health problems.

>

> Solid foods should be introduced between 4 and 6 months of age. Our

> website <http://www.vrg.org/nutrition/pregnancy.htm

> <http://www.vrg.org/nutrition/pregnancy.htm>> provides

> information on introducing solid foods. Breastfeeding or use of a

> commercial soy formula, should continue at least until the baby is 1

> year old, growing normally, and eating a variety of foods. At that time,

> commercial soymilk can be introduced as a beverage. Vegan women who are

> breastfeeding should use a daily, reliable source of vitamin B-12

> (vitamin B-12 supplement or food fortified with vitamin B-12).

>

> If the mother is not using a reliable source of vitamin B-12, the baby

> needs a vitamin B-12 supplement. Vegan infants also need reliable

> sources of vitamin D and iron.

>

> Fat should not be restricted in the diets of babies age 2 years and

> younger. Diets consisting largely of raw foods are not recommended for

> babies and young children.

>

> To learn more about feeding vegan babies and children, visit our website

> for our article, Vegan Nutrition in Pregnancy and Childhood

> <http://www.vrg.org/nutrition/pregnancy.htm

> <http://www.vrg.org/nutrition/pregnancy.htm>>, our Vegetarian Kids and

> Teens <http://www.vrg.org/family/kidsindex.htm

> <http://www.vrg.org/family/kidsindex.htm>> page, or join our

> vegetarian parenting online discussion list

> <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vrgparents/

> <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vrgparents/>>.

>

> As with all publications of The Vegetarian Resource Group, this article

> is not intended to provide personal medical advice. Medical advice

> should be obtained from a qualified health professional.

>

> Marg Alfieri wrote:

>

> > Hi

> >

> > Desperately seeking some educational materials ( background) + handouts

> > for a 6 month old baby who will be on a vegan diet. Currently breast

> > fed. Didn't ADA have a position paper or article on this?

> >

> > Many thanks

> >

> > Marg Alfieri RD

> >

> >

>

> --

>

>