These vegan health articles are presented to assist you in taking a pro-active part in your own health.
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We want to reassure you that your child can thrive without an ounce of cow’s milk—no matter what stage of life they are in.
Having a little one comes with so many questions, and it’s understandably scary to traverse something so monumental like raising a dairy-free infant or toddler. We want to reassure you that your child can thrive without an ounce of cow’s milk—no matter what stage of life they are in. We turned to experienced moms and experts to answer your questions on everything from breastfeeding to formula to that tricky transition period between milk and solid food.
Meet the Moms
Manon Bayard is the Senior Director of Operations at
Switch4Good and a mom of three-year-old Rhys.
Dr. Yami Carzola-Lancaster (Dr. Yami) is a board-certified
pediatrician based out of Washington where she runs her own private
practice, Nourish Wellness. She’s also a mom of two growing boys who have
been dairy-free their entire lives.
Dahlia Marin is a registered dietitian nutritionist and mom
of five-year-old Lelia. She runs a private practice (Married to Health) in
Southern California with her husband, James. She specializes in gut health
for adults and children.
Crissandra (Angel) Hall is a mom of four ranging from
kinder to young adult! She’s a Southern California-based nurse temporarily
working the frontlines in New York. Her youngest three are incredible
athletes and run the @dzvegankidathletes Instagram account. Give them a
follow!
How long should I breastfeed?
Dahlia: The World Health Organization recommends
breastfeeding for the first two years of life as the gold standard.
Breastfeeding can be quite difficult and sometimes initially a bit
uncomfortable, but it is truly the best option for babies. Breast milk is
made on a supply-and-demand basis, so the more formula supplements a mother
uses, the less her body will naturally produce her own milk. It is
impossible to mimic the immune and gut-supporting immunoglobulins, the high
level of brain-building essential fatty acids, and gut appropriate proteins
in breastmilk.
If breastfeeding is excessively painful or if the mother is concerned her
supply may be insufficient (which it rarely is—a baby’s tummy literally is
the size of a marble in the first few days of life and increases to the size
of an egg), an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant should be
consulted for support.
If I can’t breastfeed, what dairy-free formula would you recommend?
Dahlia: There are a few plant-based formula options
available on the market. While some mothers may be wary when they see labels
with some type of syrup or sweetener in the first few ingredients, this
ingredient is necessary as babies require large amounts of carbohydrate
sugar. Earth’s Best is one of the better options.
Dr. Yami: For mothers that can’t breastfeed or need to
supplement I recommend an organic soy formula (Earth’s Best has one, but
there are others). If there is a potential allergy/sensitivity to soy then
try a hydrolyzed formula such as Nutramigen or Similac Alimentum.
Angel: I used Enfamil Prosobee formula from six months to
one year then introduced [my daughter] to almond, cashew, and coconut milk.
What about soy?
Some parents may be wary of soy due to floating rumors about estrogen. Soy
contains phytoestrogens—a plant-based estrogen that acts differently than
animal-based estrogen. Phytoestrogens bind to estrogen receptors in humans
and can help regulate the body’s estrogen levels. In cases where excess
estrogen enters the body, phytoestrogens can essentially ‘block’ these
hormones from interacting with the body.
Dairy, on the other hand, makes up for 60-80 percent of the total estrogen
in the typical American diet. Cow’s milk (and cow’s milk products) all
contain animal estrogen because it is taken from a pregnant cow. This
includes dairy products that claim “no added hormones.” Hormones may not be
added, but the natural female hormones stimulated by pregnancy and giving
birth are transferred into the milk, which eventually finds its way on our
shelves. If you’re concerned about hormones, dairy is not the safe option.
How do you transition from breastfeeding/formula to solid food?
Dr. Yami: I recommend introducing complementary foods
between four to six months of age. Mothers that are exclusively nursing can
wait closer to six months. When babies are sitting up supported, you know
it’s a sign to start if they begin opening their mouths for a spoon and seem
interested.
After one year of age, children should be eating three flexibly structured
meals and two to three snacks as needed. It’s best to have a flexible
schedule for offering food rather than grazing all day. Keep meals simple
and remember that once they become toddlers they slow down in their growth
velocity and don’t eat as much as they did before.
Angel: Initially, I gave them one new food at a time, so in
case of an allergic reaction, it would be easier to eliminate from [that
food from] their diet. To start, I mixed each new food with my breast milk.
I also made most of their food from scratch.
We live in a world where convenience seems to outweigh good nutrition.
Healthy eating is very simple as long as we are willing to be patient with
it. I used to boil sweet potatoes and carrots and blended it together with
my breast milk, then I separated it into portions and put the containers in
the fridge or freezer, so when I had to feed them, it was ready to go. Once
my kids turned two years old, they were used to eating healthy foods and I
no longer added my breast milk to it.
What solid foods should my baby start out with?
Dr. Yami: I recommend launching straight into the leafy,
bitter greens such as spinach, kale, broccoli, and brussels sprouts—all
well-cooked and puréed. I encourage my patients’ parents to treat this time
like “flavor boot camp” and introduce as many vegetables, fruits, and whole
grains as possible. Children learn to like what they are repeatedly exposed
to. At six months I recommend introducing peanut butter and beans. Between
nine and 12 months many babies are eating table foods with their families.
This is why it is particularly important for the entire family to have a
health-promoting diet.
At 12 months most babies will transition off formula to a plant-based milk
such as a fortified unsweetened soy or pea milk. However, this should be
limited to no more than 16 ounces per day and be consumed during meal or
snack time (not sipped between meals). Offer beans, nut butters, avocado,
veggies, fruits, and whole grains at whatever texture and consistency the
child is ready for.
Manon: Rhys was plant-based from the age of six months,
which is also when he started on solids rather than relying solely on
formula. In the first few days, I focused on allergy testing him. So while
he started off with soft foods like avocado and mashed peas or carrots, I
also tested him for peanuts by testing first on his skin and then a small
amount on his tongue. Soon after, I was able to offer tofu and check for soy
as well. Rhys also enjoyed some mushy cereals very early on.
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We began this archive as a means of assisting our visitors in answering many of their health and diet questions, and in encouraging them to take a pro-active part in their own health. We believe the articles and information contained herein are true, but are not presenting them as advice. We, personally, have found that a whole food vegan diet has helped our own health, and simply wish to share with others the things we have found. Each of us must make our own decisions, for it's our own body. If you have a health problem, see your own physician.