logo
BabySparks
logo
  • What is BabySparks?
  • The Science
  • Childcare Providers
  • Learning Center
  • Get BabySparks
  • en
    • es
Prev
0
Feeding Your Vegetarian Baby or Toddler
16 December 2020
Next
0
Toddler Favoritism: What Does it Mean & What Do You Do?
12 January 2021
Health & Nutrition
Feeding Your Vegan Baby or Toddler
6 January, 2021 by BabySparks in Health & Nutrition

feeding your vegan baby or toddlerIs a vegan diet healthy for babies and toddlers? Experts say yes! But veganism can be tricky to navigate, even as adults, so it’s extra important to pay close attention to your child’s diet to ensure they’re getting all of the nutrients, vitamins, and minerals they need during a time of rapid growth. 

We’ve collected tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and other experts to keep in mind, but the number-one thing to start with is talking to your pediatrician or a pediatric registered dietician (RD). Nutrition is critical for little, growing bodies, so professional guidance is essential when it comes to ensuring that vegan babies and toddlers thrive.

Highlights:

  • According to experts, a vegan diet CAN be healthy for little ones, but parents need to carefully plan meals to ensure their child gets all the nutrients they need. 
  • Experts’ number-one recommendation: Enlist the help of your pediatrician or a pediatric registered dietician!
  • Common deficiencies for vegans include iron, B12, protein, calcium, zinc, and vitamin D. Many deficiencies can be avoided by including certain foods, but supplements may be necessary. 

Important Considerations for Vegan Babies and Toddlers

According to the experts, here’s what you need to focus on to ensure your vegan baby or toddler gets all the nutrients they need. 

Breastfeeding and Formula

Vegan breastfeeding moms need to keep in mind that their own reserves of vitamin B12 may be low, which can, in turn, lead to a B12 deficiency in their baby. For parents who choose formula-feeding, vegan options are steadily increasing; however, it’s important to note that many plant-based formulas may contain common allergenic foods, such as soy, so it’s important to keep an eye out for signs of food allergies or sensitivities. Whether you breastfeed or formula-feed, you may need to provide more frequent feedings during infancy and weaning, to fill in any gaps in their diet. 

Iron

Iron is a nutrient that serves a few critical functions – most notably, the body uses it to make hemoglobin, which carries oxygen from the lungs to the entire body. Because animal meat is one of the richest sources of iron, it’s very important to be sure vegan babies get iron from other sources when they start eating solid food. Some plant-based sources of iron include fortified baby cereal, beans, tofu, broccoli, and kale (all of which can be pureed, if needed). 

B12

Vitamin B12 is essential to nerve and blood cell health. It helps make DNA, and also prevents a type of anemia that can lead to fatigue and weakness. B12 is one of the most common deficiencies associated with veganism. As we mentioned above, vegan breastfeeding moms need to ensure that they’re getting enough vitamin B12 to pass on to their babies. Your pediatrician or RD may recommend giving your baby B12 supplements as well.

Protein

With vegan diets, it can be easy to skimp on protein, especially when toddlers hit the picky-eating stage! High-quality plant-based sources of protein include: 

  • Almond and peanut butter (whole almonds or peanuts are a choking hazard for babies and toddlers – and remember, new food allergy data shows that you DO NOT need to delay introducing almonds and peanuts to your baby) 
  • Edamame 
  • Tofu
  • Quinoa
  • Flax and hemp seeds
  • Chickpeas
  • Beans

Calcium, Zinc & Vitamin D

Other common deficiencies for vegans include calcium, zinc and vitamin D. You can increase your little one’s intake by regularly including these foods:

  • Calcium: calcium-fortified plant milk, beans, broccoli, kale
  • Zinc: zinc-fortified foods, beans, pumpkin seeds, chickpeas, potatoes
  • Vitamin D: zinc-fortified foods, mushrooms, supplements 

In addition to carefully planning your child’s vegan meals, your pediatrician or registered dietician may recommend routine blood tests to check nutrient levels.  

0 Comments
  • eating
  • feeding
  • health
  • nutrition
  • toddler
  • baby
0 Like!
Share
BabySparks

Recent comments

    Tags

    baby child cognitive feeding fine motor gross motor health language language skills milestones parenting sensory social-emotional speech toddler
    ABOUT US
    THE TEAM
    TERMS OF SERVICE AND PRIVACY POLICY
    support@babysparks.com
    FacebookInstagramPinterestTwitter
    Copyright © 2020 BabySparks LLC. All rights reserved
    logo
    X
    GET BABYSPARKS
    Step 2 of 2
    ACTIVITY PACKAGE:
    (All Prices in USD)

    Form of Payment

    Monthly: $1.25 per month/per child
    Annually: $12.00 per year/per child (20% discount)

    Form of Payment

    Monthly: $2.25 per month/per child
    Annually: $21.50 per year/per child (20% discount)

    Form of Payment

    Monthly: $5.00 per month/per child
    Annually: $45.00 per year/per child (25% discount)

    Number of children:

    x per child

    Total Amount

    SELECT YOUR METHOD OF PAYMENT
    * Required field
    Buy now BS

    BabySparks Premium Gives You…

    Access to 1,300+ development activities & milestones

    An expert-created program to support the development of children under your care

    Tools to increase family engagement, invite each family to use the program at home

    Ability to track each child's progress in real-time (and share it with his/her family)

    Add unlimited children, caregivers and locations to your account

    Manage and track progress across your organization through our desktop dashboard

    Cancel your subscription at any time

    By clicking on the button below, you agree to our Terms of Service & privacy policy.
    X
    EDIT YOUR ACCOUNT
    Your account
    Change your password
    X
    EDIT YOUR METHOD OF PAYMENT
    Update payment method
    * Required field
    Buy now BS
    By clicking on the button below, you agree to our Terms of Service & privacy policy.
    X
    UPDATE YOUR PACKAGE
    Your Activity Package
    (All Prices in USD)

    1 Month

    $ 3 99

    per month

    1 Year

    $ 23 99

    per year

    Update your package at any time
    (All Prices in USD)
    Pay as you go

    1 Month

    $ 3 99

    per month

    50% Discount

    1 Year

    $ 23 99

    per year

    60% Discount

    Lifetime

    $ 39 99

    one time

    How does it work?

    You can change your activity package at any time.

    The change will take place at the end of your current subscription period.

    You will only be charged the new rate once the change takes place.

    Cancel Activity Package
    X
    LOGIN BABYSPARKS

    Forgot your password?

    X
    PASSWORD RESET
    X
    RESET PASSWORD
    X
    GET BABYSPARKS
    Step 1 of 2
    Create Your Account

    Already Have an Account? Login

    X
    GET BABYSPARKS
    Step 1 of 2
    Create Your Account

    Already Have an Account? Login

    X
    GET BABYSPARKS
    Step 2 of 2
    Logged in as: (Not me)
    Select Your Activity Package
    (All Prices in USD)
    Pay as you go

    1 Month

    $ 3 99

    per month

    YOUR OFFER

    $ 2 99

    50% Discount

    1 Year

    $ 1 99

    per month

    Paid Annually: $23.99
    YOUR OFFER

    $ 2 99

    60% Discount

    Lifetime

    $ 39 99

    one time

    YOUR OFFER

    $ 2 99

    BabySparks Premium Gives You…

    Access to 1,300+ development activities & milestones

    An expert-created program to support your child’s development

    Weekly development reports summarize progress

    Browse activities for any situation

    Expert-written articles about development

    Sync up to 5 devices (add family and caregivers)

    Add up to 5 babies to your account

    Cancel your susbcription at any time

    * Required field
    Buy now BS
    By clicking on the button below, you agree to our Terms of Service & privacy policy.