Here is some basic information on Nutrition Guidelines for Vegetarian and Vegan Infants (birth to two years of age). Please meet with your health care provider for more specific details. It is not impossible to adequately nourish a baby on a vegetarian diet but there is considerable debate between researchers concerning recommending this type of eating pattern for the first two years of life.

This debate is a result of a number of reports poorly planned vegetarian diets and resultant malnutrition and poor growth rates in children. Studies have shown however, that children following a vegetarian style of eating can achieve normal growth and development when the diet is carefully planned to ensure that the child receives adequate nutrition.

I. Breast feed for a minimum of 6 months, and preferably up to two years of age. Breastfeeding the first few days after birth will provide your baby with breastmilk rich in colustrum. Colustrum helps your baby fight infection in the early months. If you think that you may prefer to use formula and bottle-feed, it's a good idea to put the decision off until after your baby is born and has received those first few days of colustrum-rich breastmilk. If you do decide to use formula don't let anyone make you feel guilty about your choice. Nine out of ten mothers will use infant formula regularly by the time their baby is 12 months old! It is a good choice, and your baby will thrive as well as if he were breast-fed.

II. Iron-fortified soy protein-based formulas provide a viable formula for those mothers not wanting to breastfeed but still wanting to follow a vegetarian lifestyle. The three important nutritional criteria for formula selection are protein, fat, and iron. Protein is necessary for normal growth and development of your baby. Formulas may be based on cow's milk protein, soy protein, or hydrolyzed protein. The fat blend is designed to promote the growth and healthy development of your baby's brain and central nervous system. The Canadian Pediatric Society has recommended the use of iron-fortified formula for all non-breastfed infants. This prevents iron-deficiency anemia and its negative and sometimes irreversible consequences to growth and development.

III. Use appropriate supplements as prescribed by your health care provider. These will include iron after 3-4 months for both breast fed and formula-fed infants; possibly Vitamin D and B12 for breastfed infants of vegan mothers, and fluoride supplements when the water is not fluoridated.

IV. Introduce iron-fortifed cereals between the ages of 4-6 months when the infant shows appropriate signs of readiness.

V. Additional solid foods can be gradually introduced, pureed fruits, vegetables, beans, tofu and cottage cheese (for lacto-ovo vegetarians). Nut butters can also be introduced towards the end of the first year.