Vegetarian/Vegan Baby Formulae

thinkginge

yes, he is thriving thanks, i didn't mean it to come across as making you feel humble or anything!lol.
and i admire your principles, i just thought this formula would definitely suit your needs. i know there is only one warehouse in britain where its dispatched from, so dont know if you'll be able to pay for it or not.

its quite funny really, they come in spaceman like sachets!

but please speak to a dietician about the best option. they're not just there to deal with putting people on healthy diets! they are very good at working out specific calculations down to the gram of the nutrients your child needs

Lillys_mum

Have a look at this factsheet it should give you some useful information.

http://www.vegetarian.org.uk/factsheets/soyainfant.html

heather38

i was advised by my gp NOT to give soyamilk to young babies ie infasoy/wysoy, because soya has quite a lot of oestrogen in it, which isn't good for prepubesant children.
i was advised to use the hipp organic one, which is for vegetarians btw, in the end i used aptamil as baby isn't veggie (neither is baby) because i gave up being veggie when i was pregnant.

Bun

Hi Stargirl - just had a thought, believe someone on another forum pointed out that you can't return formula to the shop, so I'd probably bulk buy once you know it is suitable so you aren't saddled with tins of stuff bubs won't be able to have.

Giraffeseeker

I am veggie but my children's dad isn't, and decided that although I wouldn't cook meat/fish for them (although 10 years later always have a stock of fish fingers in the freezer for unexpected friends!), would not stop them eating meat/fish at school, friends houses, restaurants, etc, as felt the veggie issue is their own choice. Couldn't breast feed son no 1, although did persevere for 4 weeks, so went onto SMA gold and he thrived. Son no 2 breast fed for 8 weeks with relative ease, but was very sick after feeds. Was eventually recommended by health visitor to wean him onto SMA Soya (in a green tin, as I remember) and then he was fine. Annoying that the son who I had plenty of breast milk for couldn't tolerate it, but that's life I guess. I remember feeling very guilty that I had failed son no 1 by not being able to breast feed, but in hindsight that was ridiculous and I wish I had not spent so much time worrying about it, both were happy on formula in the end and both thived. I don't know about the vegan qualities of SMA soya but it worked for me. Good Luck. xx

adouglasmhor

SWMBO

stargirl73 wrote: »

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.

You've already had loads of replies about the formula, but I thought I'd post some breastfeeding related info on the offchance that its useful. If its because of medication that you may not be able to breastfeed, then Breastfeeding Network have a pharmacist who is an expert on medication & breastfeeding http://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/drugline.html If you've been prescribed something incompatible with breastfeeding they'll be able to a) check that it is actually incompatible, b) perhaps suggest alternative medication.

flea72

i use Hipp Organic, but as we are raising our DD vegetarian our health visitor suggested that we dont move onto the 2nd stage milks when she reaches 6m, but continue to use the infant formula. Cant remember the exact reasoning behind it now (preg brain n all that). Also its the cheapest milk available, so another reason for the recommendation.

Flea

Ms_Piggy_2

Firstly, apologies if I am repeating what anyone else has said!

Personally I'd be very wary of cutting out the omega oils (any of them!). In formula milk, their function is to replicate the long chain fatty acids that occur naturally in breast milk and contribute to brain development.

If you are sure you won't be able to breast feed (check places like La Leche League who will give excellent support if you want to try), then I'd suggest contacting the Vegetarian Society or similar who may be able to advise. Personally, I'd also give Soya a miss......

Actually, I've just thought of someone on another forum who may be able to help, so I shall see if she has any expertise (she's veggie/vegan herself and very 'up' on nutrition etc)

stargirl73

flea72 wrote: »

i use Hipp Organic, but as we are raising our DD vegetarian our health visitor suggested that we dont move onto the 2nd stage milks when she reaches 6m, but continue to use the infant formula. Cant remember the exact reasoning behind it now (preg brain n all that). Also its the cheapest milk available, so another reason for the recommendation.

Flea

That's interesting - gosh, hadn't realised it was cheapest too!

We are meeting our health visitor in a couple of weeks and I'll have a chat with her about things.

Thanks