How to ensure vegan baby gets all required nutrients

I’m 32-weeks pregnant and anxiously awaiting the birth of my first child. My husband and I are both vegans, and we have decided to raise our future child on a diet free of any animal products. We are getting a lot of unsolicited opinions from family and friends — some people are saying it is extremely unhealthy to raise a baby without meat. Is this true? How can we ensure our baby will get required nutrients without any meat, dairy, or eggs?

It is absolutely possible for infants (and children) to get all the nutrition they need from a vegetable-based diet, but it does take some extra thought and planning.

As you probably know, breast milk is vegan. This liquid provides all the nutritional needs for infants in the first 6 months of life. It could be beneficial to vegan infants’ health to be breastfed longer than non-vegans since breast milk is such a great source of nutrients. If you can’t breastfeed or choose not to, try soy formula fortified with vitamins B12 and D, but avoid other plant-based milks due to their lack of protein.

As babies nurse less and start consuming more solid foods, parents need to make sure all of the nutrients necessary for proper development are being provided.

A baby’s first foods are typically fruits, veggies, and rice cereal — all of which are naturally vegan. Once your baby is ready for small pieces of solid food, you can introduce proteins such as tofu, tempeh, and soft-cooked beans. Just remember, vegan infants under 6 months should not be given any foods containing gluten, nuts, or seeds — including peanuts, peanut butter, and other nut spreads.

In addition to vitamins B12 and D, vegetarian and vegan diets are at risk of deficiency in a few other key nutrients — including protein, iron, zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids. To make sure your child gets needed amounts of iron, combine foods high in vitamin C (citrus fruits as well as many different fruits and vegetables) with foods containing iron. Cereals, grains, legumes, dates, prunes, raisins, and greens are rich in iron. The best vegan sources of calcium are sesame seeds, collards, broccoli, sea vegetables, and tofu. You can also get calcium-fortified orange juice and soy milk. It is just as important for vegans to go easy on sweets and processed foods as it is for everyone else.

To ensure that your baby gets enough of these key nutrients, you should also give him or her a vitamin supplement, in addition to choosing fortified cereals and juices. A pediatrician can help guide parents and offer supplements and healthy diet tips, if needed. For optimal health and nutrition, your baby’s vegan diet should also be well balanced and varied.

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<p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial;" data-sheets-value="{" data-sheets-userformat="{">Students 5-18 years old learn Spanish living with Spanish students while having fun at one of our 8 Immersion Summer programs in Spain. Children will make new friends from all over the world, learn languages, play sports and more, all in a supportive, friendly and diverse environment where students open their minds and immerse themselves in the Spanish culture and language.</span></p>

CBE Kids Summer Day Camps

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Congregation Beth Elohim is so excited to announce the return of CBE Kids Day Camps starting THIS summer!</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Two programs will be offered in summer 2022: Elementary Day Camp and Camp Kef Hebrew Language Camp, both for rising Kindergarten to 4th graders. A typical day will include community building through play, and activities such as sports, art, computer coding, dance, instructional and free swim in our indoor pool, and much more. Camp Kef Hebrew Language Camp offers all of the same great activities in a Hebrew immersion setting appropriate for dual language learners, native speakers, and kids looking to grow their Hebrew skills.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Both camps utilize their beautiful Temple House in the heart of Park Slope, as well as Prospect Park — CBE’s backyard — for outdoor programming. CBE Kids aims to be a place where campers can try new things, make new friends, and grow through play.</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">CBE can't wait to welcome everyone back to camp this summer. Whether you are a returning camper who cannot wait to get back after two summers away, or a new camper who is ready for a magical summer, there is something for everyone at CBE Kids Summer Camps!</span></p> <p> </p>

Artistree Performing Arts

<p>Join us for the most incredible summer of musical theater at CAMP ARTISTREE!  If your child loves performing, then Artistree is the place to be.  Each day combines the essential components of putting on a show--acting, singing and dancing--with the fun of a traditional camp atmosphere like games, crafts and time outdoors.  It's a camp experience like no other!  Preschool Camp runs the weeks of June 14th <strong>(Descendants)</strong> and 21st <strong>(Frozen)</strong>.  </p> <p>We then begin our Summer Show Intensives for both Kids, Grades K-4 <strong>(Willy Wonka:  July 6-23 and Jungle Book:  July 26-August 13)</strong> and Tweens/Teens, Grades 5th-10th <strong>(Shrek:  July 6-23 and Into the Woods:  July 26-August 13)</strong>. </p> <p>Teens and Young Adults have their own show <strong>(Rock of Ages--July 6-August 5)</strong> which rehearses in the evenings and is performed at Harbor Island Park in conjunction with the Village of Mamaroneck.  </p> <p>We end the summer with week-long theater intensives the weeks of August 16, 23 and 30.  Mention Westchester Family and get $50 off any camp program!  Enroll now at artistreearts.com.  We can't wait to spend the summer with you at Camp Artistree!</p>