Growing Strong And Healthy Vegetarian Babies

Vegetarian Nursing Moms: What Do You Need To Know?

What do vegetarian and vegan breastfeeding mothers need to know? Karen Smith RD, a senior dietitian with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, assured you that you have nothing to worry about. She told SteadyHealth:

"Vegetarian and vegan mothers who breastfeed are giving their babies a great start in life, and they can be assured that maintaining a diet high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes while breastfeeding can meet their nutrition needs as well as the nutrition needs of their babies. Breast milk is the best choice of nutrition for a baby for reasons that go beyond its perfectly designed nutritional composition. It contains antibodies and other properties that provide immunological protection against many diseases. And, the essential fatty acids in breast milk promote cognitive growth and visual acuity."

Is there anything vegetarian breastfeeding mothers should avoid eating, then? Karen advises against the consumption of milk and dairy products while you are nursing your baby:

"Since cow’s milk proteins are a known cause of colic and can pass through breast milk, avoiding dairy products is beneficial." 

She also notes:

"It is recommended that all breastfeeding mothers, regardless of diet, provide a vitamin D supplement to their infants. It is also important for vegan and vegetarian mothers to supplement their diets with vitamin B12."

While anyone consuming any kind of animal protein, including in the form of milk and other dairy products, likely gets enough vitamin B12, supplementation with this vitamin is essential for your health and your baby's if you have decided to follow the advice to steer clear of dairy products while you are breastfeeding.

When Vegan Mothers Can't Breastfeed

Vegan parents who do not breastfeed their babies, feeling strongly about avoiding animal products, may be tempted to look for a strictly vegan option. Does a safe vegan substitute for your own breast milk exist? The answer is "yes". As Karen points out:

"In the rare instance that a mother is unable to breastfeed, I highly recommend donated breast milk from a milk bank as the best alternative."

Breast milk from milk banks is tested and guaranteed to be free of diseases. While there are plenty of arguments against simply accepting pumped breast milk through ads on Craig's List and the like, parents who are lucky enough to have vegan breastfeeding friends who are willing to donate their milk might be able to offer their babies purely vegan breast milk.

READ Breastfeeding Your Baby: Why Breast Is Still Best

Note, however, that if donated breast milk is not available, home-made vegan formulas are not a safe alternative. Indeed, offering your baby such formulas can lead to severe malnutrition, as they lack essential nutrients. As has sadly already been seen, it can even lead to infant death.

Karen told SteadyHealth:

"If breast milk cannot be provided to an infant, the only safe alternative is commercial infant formula. Soy based formulas are typically not vegan as their source of vitamin D is animal derived. It is important to note that no matter your diet preference, the only options for infant nutrition are breast milk, which is the best form, or a commercial infant formula, and it is not safe to replace or eliminate these options."