Vegetarian/Vegan Baby Formulae

stargirl73

Ms_Piggy wrote: »

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)

Thanks - that would be great. I didn't realise the role of the LCPs in formulae - thought it was for their brain boosting powers! Have they always contained fish oils? Am probably ignorant as well as stupid!

Thanks

Tracy_E_A

Ms_Piggy wrote: »

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)

My children are veggie and have omega (non fish) 3 and 6 in the margarine i buy. I didnt think you should give soya milk to children under 2 unless they had an allergy. All the vegans i know who have brought there children up as vegan were breast fed so im sorry im not much help.

alm721

Can't offer any help but would think carefully before giving soya milk to a baby. My son is allergic to cows milk so can't have any standard formula. The health vistor and doctor are both against me giving him soya as it can cause a soya allergy to develop, it is full of sugar and has quite high proportions of hormones in it which thought to have possible long term consequences for reproductive health. Soya products are also not recommended for children under 2 for the same reasons. I realsie for some babies there are no options but I'd look carefully for alternatives first..

Jo_R_2

stargirl73 wrote: »

Thanks - that would be great. I didn't realise the role of the LCPs in formulae - thought it was for their brain boosting powers! Have they always contained fish oils? Am probably ignorant as well as stupid!

Thanks

Yup, it's fish oils in formulae for the LCPs. My DDs are veggie and part of the reason I have breastfed them for as long as possible is for the long chain fatty acids in breastmilk. There's lots of places to get them in food that aren't fish-based, when they start eating solid food. I have a bottle of hemp seed oil in the fridge that is a great source of omega oils.

stargirl73

Jo_R wrote: »

Yup, it's fish oils in formulae for the LCPs. My DDs are veggie and part of the reason I have breastfed them for as long as possible is for the long chain fatty acids in breastmilk. There's lots of places to get them in food that aren't fish-based, when they start eating solid food. I have a bottle of hemp seed oil in the fridge that is a great source of omega oils.

I had a friend who gave her daughter hemp seed oil from a really quite young age - no older than 6 months I'd say. Do you know what age, and I suppose what dose, it can be given? I know plant sources aren't supposed to be "as good" but it's a start.

CarolynH

My best friend is veggie, her hubby is vegan. 3 month old bubs is on Hipp organic and thriving.