| If, for dietary or ethical reasons, you have | | | | If you want to keep your infant on a vegan diet, |
| decided that you want to put your infant on a | | | | you can select a soy commercial formula, as long |
| vegetarian diet, you should be very careful in | | | | as it is nutritionally-adequate. |
| choosing formulas and solid food for your child. | | | | After about a year, you can begin to supplement |
| If you plan to breastfeed the infant and you are | | | | formula or breastmilk with other sources of |
| also a vegetarian, you may need to supplement | | | | nutrition, such as homemade formulas, soymilk, |
| breastmilk with additional sources of nutrition, | | | | yogurt, and cow?s milk (if you are not a vegan). |
| depending on your dietary restrictions. If you are | | | | Nutritionists suggest that you keep your infant on |
| a vegan, or an ovo-vegetarian, you should add | | | | a full-fat, high protein diet after age one, which |
| sources of vitamin B-12 to your child?s diet. | | | | includes vegetarian-friendly foods, such as mashed |
| Other than the B-12 supplements, your infant | | | | and pureed avocados, soy milk, nutrient-fortified |
| should be able to receive all micro and | | | | tofu, and yogurt. |
| macronutrients through breastfeeding, even if you | | | | When you are ready to switch your infant to solid |
| are on a strictly vegan diet. | | | | vegetarian foods, you can introduce solid tofu, |
| If you plan to use formula rather than breastmilk, | | | | pieces of vegetarian burgers, eggs, and cheese. |
| you should stick to commercial formulas, which | | | | If you supplement what a nonvegetarian diet |
| contain the proper amounts and ratios of | | | | lacks, maintain a full-fat diet, and increase your |
| nutrients. If you opt for a homemade formula or | | | | infant?s sources of protein, you should have no |
| soymilk over a commercial product, your child | | | | problem maintaining a healthful vegetarian diet |
| could experience developmental problems from a | | | | during your child?s crucial developmental stages. |
| lack of proper nutrition. | | | | |