Tips On Feeding Your Vegetarian Baby

Numerous vegetarians and even more vegans have a difficult when it comes to feeding their new-born babies. This is because many vegetarians and most vegans are opposed to the intake of animal produce. This is difficult because it has been stated by the overwhelming majority of doctors and mid-wives that mother' breast milk is the best food for a baby. This is because mother's breast milk will contain a assortment of protective substances against diseases and allergies.

However, if a woman decides that she cannot give her baby her breast milk for philosophical reasons, it is not a disaster, because there have always been women that cannot feed their children in this fashion for one reason or another. Typical reasons might be illness or malnutrition. There are preparations available to give your baby everything it needs, so there is no need to be anxious.

Whether you breast feed or not, make certain that your baby gets enough vitamin B12. It will also require plenty of vitamin D, which comes from sunlight. There are different estimates of how much exposure is enough, but ten minutes a day or so is about average. The one thing that all medical workers will agree on however, is that the baby ought to not run any danger of getting sun burn and if the sun is strong, the eyes should be protected as well.

Iron is an important aspect of anyone's diet and breast milk can provide enough for a four to six month old, because breast milk is not particularly rich in iron. After that time, food ought to be chosen that has a higher iron content. Meat will supply the iron for a meat-eater, so a vegetarian mother has to take this into account. The advice of your doctor, midwife or dietitian will be invaluable here as elsewhere.

A great deal of parents give their infant rice cereal fortified with iron as one of the baby's first foods. Check with your GP, yet it is usually a decent idea to carry on with your breast milk or formula feeds even if you are feeding rice cereal. Other grains and cereals such as oats, barley and corn can be used too, but they ought to be put through a food processor first and mixed with fruit or / and vegetable puree.

You may be advised that the iron content of these foods is still not sufficient, in which case it is quite normal to be given an iron supplement to add to the baby's food. It is around this time, after the baby is happy eating cereal, that fruit and vegetable purees can be given in their own right. Make sure that the fruit and vegetables are properly pureed or mashed.

Bananas, avocado, apples and canned peaches or pears are all useful choices here as are vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, peas, sweet potatoes, and green beans, although they have to be cooked first, obviously. There are lots of good recipes on the Net or at your medical doctor's surgery to make certain that your baby gets all the nutrients it requires from a vegetarian diet,

Owen Jones, the author of this piece writes on several topics, and is currently involved with quick vegetarian recipes. If you would like to know more or check out some great offers, please go to our site at Vegetarian Sandwich Recipes.