Of all the stages of raising your child to be a vegan, his babyhood may be the easiest. However, as a new parent, you likely have great concerns with making sure your baby gets all the nutrition he needs. Here's an article to answer your vegan concerns at this special time for you and your baby.
Preparing for Baby
Technically, you can start your baby on a vegan diet while she is still a fetus. Eating a vegan diet as you nurture yourself and your baby through the pregnancy is one of the most kind things you can do for the both of you and for animals.
Most people think of food when thinking of the vegan lifestyle, but it goes beyond food. The vegan lifestyle means embracing practices that are cruelty-free. You can prepare your baby for a cruelty-free lifestyle with the choices you make for his nursery. It all begins when you first start planning for your baby. When choosing his bedding, make choices that don't include fibers taken from animals. The same can be said for buying your baby's first clothes.
Most vegans don't buy leather, wool or silk. Fur is something that's also avoided, but it tends to not be an issue with babies, although some people do buy fur trims. While it all comes down to a personal choice, you need to be very specific about your intentions of raising a vegan baby when registering for your baby shower. Let friends know ahead of time, as there will always be friends who buy off the registry. You should ask the friend or family member who is throwing the shower to include a polite note about that with baby shower invitations.
A good idea for the shower is to bake vegan goodies yourself. While it's traditionally a party thrown for you, the presence of delectable vegan goodies can put some people's worries to rest over getting to eat deliciously as a vegan.
In the Beginning
You should ideally breastfeed your baby for his first year of life. Eat a healthy diet yourself while breastfeeding; speak with your doctor about the best overall supplement to compliment your vegan lifestyle.
If breastfeeding isn't impossible or isn't what you choose to do, you must opt for a commercial formula. Any other liquids do not have the nutrition your baby will need. Luckily, there are vegan formulas and mostly-vegan formulas. You'll want to choose a soy-based formula, but always get your doctor's advice before making any nutritional decisions for your newborn. Some of the soy-based formulas have a Vitamin D additive that comes from animal by-products. However, because the product is mostly vegan, many new moms allow it for her baby's diet.
Consider supplements for your baby. Talk it over with your doctor. His advice is important. Also speak with a vegan nutritionist who has expertise in infant health for vegans. This make take a bit of background research because you want to be sure you are speaking with someone who is giving expert advice customized to the specific health needs of your little one. All nutritionists should be certified so check credentials. Also, check consumer protection agencies before giving your money to an alternative health care provider. Because alternative health care is modified far less than the traditional kind, it's important to take extra care when making choices that will effect you and your baby.
Many babies are pretty much vegan for the first year of life so this stage should be easy. Keep reading the latest on nutritional care for infants. Keep all appointments. Speak frequently with your health care provider.