Vegetarian/Vegan Baby Formulae

stargirl73

Hi all - looking for advice on this subject.

My first baby is due in May and long having been an "earth mother" would want to do everything "right" for my first child.

Unfortunatel, due to medical reasons, it's looking unlikely that I'll be able to breast feed - which I am very upset about, but will keep hoping to the last that I can.

So I'm starting to look into the world of formula feed and finding the whole thing a bit confusing.

I'm a fairly strict vegetarian - bordering on vegan, and looking at thhe back of a few tins in the supermarket have found that most contain fish oils for their omega 3&6 content I presume.

I've done a bit of googling and so far I seem to have the following, limited list:

Farleys Soya Formula - suitable for vegetarians & vegans
SMA Wysoy - suitable for vegetarians
Cow & Gate InfaSoy - suitable for vegetarians
HiPP Organic - suitable for vegetarians (I think!)

Does anyone know of any other formulae?
Does anyone have any comment good or bad about any of these products?
On a cost basis, which works out most economical?

I am prepared to use a product that contains cow's milk - I think! But I suppose I would rather not. I want to do what is best for my baby without compromising my principles too much.

Happy for any advice - thanks.

davetrousers

Make your own, there must be some recipes on the internet, that way you know exactly what is going in and can adjust to your requirements.

I would put your baby's need over your principles though.

katiekittykat

I would put your babies needs 1st too.

I admire your views, but it is not actually healthy to inflict a veg/vegan diet on a child under 18.

Gingham_Ribbon

Soy is a potential allergen and not generally recommended for new babies. Why not contact the vegetarian society?

I would strongly recommend that you don't make your own.

Gingham_Ribbon

katiekittykat wrote: »

I would put your babies needs 1st too.

I admire your views, but it is not actually healthy to inflict a veg/vegan diet on a child under 18.

That is simply not true. I have 2 vegetarian boys of 4 and 11 months and both are extremely tall and strong for their age as well as being very bright and able. There is nothing a child or adult cannot get from a vegetarian diet that they could get from eating meat. Vegans have slightly more to that could be lacking but it is possible to suppliment.

katiekittykat

Gingham_Ribbon wrote: »

That is simply not true. I have 2 vegetarian boys of 4 and 11 months and both are extremely tall and strong for their age as well as being very bright and able. There is nothing a child or adult cannot get from a vegetarian diet that they could get from eating meat. Vegans have slightly more to that could be lacking but it is possible to suppliment.

My apologies.

A friend of mine is a vegan, and she was informed by her dr that any child under 18 should not be vegan / veggie.

Looks like she was mis-informed.

Gingham_Ribbon

She was woefully misinformed. there is a case to be argued against veganism in children as they tend to be smaller than their peers. But there is NO issue at all about vegetarianism, provided, as with any child, they receive a balanced diet.

katiekittykat

Gingham_Ribbon wrote: »

She was woefully misinformed. there is a case to be argued against veganism in children as they tend to be smaller than their peers. But there is NO issue at all about vegetarianism, provided, as with any child, they receive a balanced diet.

Thanks for the info - i shall pass it on to my friend.

Gingham_Ribbon

Also, sorry if I sounded snippy.:o

katiekittykat

You didn't

I don't mind admitting when I have been wrongly informed

Again thanks for the info

xxx

Badger_Lady

I think anyone posting here should bare in mind that the OP hasn't said "I refuse to give my baby milk", she's just saying "if the vegan stuff is exactly the same as the milky / fishy stuff, I'd prefer the vegan".

I don't have any experience here... but if Farleys are producing a vegan formula, surely it's suitable for infants (given our strict babyfood regulations in this country, not to mention their brand reputation)?