Raising a vegetarian child?!
Answers: My friend is about to have a child and she wants to raise her vegetarian. We're both going to be vegetarian too. I'm just curious on what we'll feed her and whether or not this is a good idea. Any advice?
Okay as a mother raising a 3.5 yr old veg since she was a 2, and raising my 18 month old veg since he could start eating (I was eating very little meat when he was exclusively breastfeeding), I can tell you some key things to remember for years to come! The child won't eat anything until roughly age 6-9 months (do this based on when the child is ready not because she turned 6 months), and when the baby does start, meat wouldn't even be accepted by the child until after age one. So for the first year, babies are typically vegans anyway! Now for mom, she needs to be taking DHA supplements (in addition to her pre-natals). This is a specific chain of Omega-3 fatty acids for growing the brain. I provided the link of one kind. The majority of the world gets this from fish, but the original producer of it is a blue green algae which the fish eat. Mom has to make sure she eats all whole grain, extra protein, fruits and veggies. Her protein can come from all the protein sources already associated with vegetarianism. But I will advice, that dairy is the number one source of colicky babies, so to either delete it as soon as possible, or wait to see if baby is colicky, her choice. B-12, is not necessary to take extra supplements as long as she finds a good pre-natal with more (I like my Rainbow Light, link also provided), which need to be continued taken up to 6 weeks after weaning. After baby is eating solids, she'll eat everything you guys eat with the ideas of staying away from certain known allergen inducers until after age 1, like egg whites and peanuts. Also, quinoa contains all the essential amino acids (though my youngest didn't like the texture until more recently). Hemp seeds contain all the essentials as well as one important amino acid that children thrive on (link).
And finally, breastfeed! Encourage her to breastfeed unless her or her baby's life depends on it! It is the most crucial thing for a baby. I don't care what formula feeding parents say, there is no substitute. True the baby won't die on formula, but it does not compare at any degree! And breastfeeding longer than a year will continue giving baby all the nutrients it did in the first year which. And in reference to baby/ child needing all these proteins, breast milk only contains 5% protein per serving. And this is during the baby biggest growth spurt in the shortest amount of time. So basically, yes children need protein, but not nearly as much as the world wants you to believe you are depriving the child of!
Just be sure she does her homework and learns how to build complete proteins. Being vegetarian is easier than Vegan where you eat no animal product at all. That means no eggs no milk no cheese.
Well, you both need to educate yourselves on nutrition to make sure the child doesn't miss any essential nutrients.
Vegetarian food pyramid and other info.
I think there will be plenty of time to think about this since the baby will have to go through breast feeding or formula first. Although, it may be wise to consult a dietitian that specializes in children.
My personal believe is if you arm yourself with the right information and make sure that the child gets all the nutrients he/she needs, then I think there is nothing wrong with raising a child as a vegetarian. Here is one suggestion: To the best of my knowledge, Buddhist children are raised as strict vegetarians from birth. In conjunction with consulting a dietitian, I would also research how Buddhist children are raised in regards to their diet.
I wish you luck with this and I hope all turns out well.
You need to be sure that the child is getting the correct nutrients, which is not as hard as people make it out. Up to a year the child should be on breast milk. Read as many books as possible.
A good book is Disease-Proof Your Child by Dr. Joel Fuhrman. It has good advice and meals.
Cultures all over the world have raised children as vegetarians for centuries. There is no special nutrients in meat that is not found in a vegetarian source. With the proper research and knowledge it is a healthy lifestyle.
ask her to be on a good diet ask her to drink lot of milk and eat good amount of fruits and healthy stuffs. consult with a docter as to how to go about
Vegetarianism and veganism is quite healthy for children, so don't believe the myths and ignorant comments.
:)
Here are some great sources
http://www.veganhealth.org/articles/real...
http://www.keepkidshealthy.com/welcome/t...
http://www.vegfamily.com/babies-and-todd...
http://www.vegansociety.com/html/people/...
http://www.vrg.org/family/kidsindex.htm
http://www.vegsoc.org/news/2000/21cv/chi...
And yes, I would at least raise my children as vegetarians. I know this is healthy and I know how to provide all the necessary nutrients. They could decide to eat meat when they are older, but just like I would make healthy decisions to make my children go to school and the dentist, I would make the healthy decision to pass on my moral beliefs of not eating animals.
Honestly, you may find that many vegans and vegetarians know a lot more about nutrition than most meat eaters because we heard so many scary myths that we really had to study and look up a lot of information. Many vegans can tell you which foods contain how much of which nutrients of the top of our heads.
Many (not all) meat eaters will tell you that a steak is one of the healthiest things you could put into your body. Just watch when a toddler has fried chicken nuggets and broccoli on his plate and decides he is full. Many meat eating parents will tell the child to "at least finish" the chicken nuggets.
Honestly, the worst thing you will have to deal with as a vegetarian parent with a veg baby is all the ignorant parents telling you you are "killing your baby" while stuffing another Happy Meal into their kids.
Just be polite and tell them not to worry because you know what you are doing.
:)
Just that your friend needs to learn about all the nutrients their child will need, just like any parent would with any diet. She might want to consult her doctor, my doctor helped me with my daughters vegetarian diet, actually giving me encouragement which I am grateful for.
I was wondering if you are not suppose to have any animal products, is it alright to breast feed.
I actually wouldnt advise doing this. Im surprised at myself for saying this, because im a vegetarian and i wouldnt be any other way. But...when you raise a child, its still growing. aspecially newborns, their skulls arent even fully developed! they need protien and nutrients you get from meat! once they are a little bit more grown, vegeterianism is actually very healthy. i have been a vegetarian since i was seven and i have only gotten sick about 3 times since then and that was just with a cold or something smal like that. Anyways.... you need the most protien when you are 0-2 so after that... DEFINITELY turn them vegetarian.
PLEASE have your friend consult with a physician. There have been several news stories this year about vegans who's children died of starvation because the parents did not make sure the kids had proper nutrition.
http://www.shortnews.com/start.cfm?id=62...