The vegetarian baby
Your baby will be just as happy and healthy as every other baby if you’re raising her as a vegetarian. Meat isn’t her only potential source of iron and protein – in fact, if you look at the Food Pyramid you’ll see it includes non-meat options in the protein category right along with meat.
Essentially, you’re looking at giving your baby foods from all the food groups apart from meat – this is where beans and soy come in, along with nuts (although you should avoid peanuts if you have a family history of food allergies). Iron deficiency can be an issue for vegetarian children so it’s important that you give your baby plenty of non-meat iron sources, such as leafy green vegetables, fortified cereals and eggs. The iron contained in plant sources is harder to absorb but consuming vitamin C at the same time as it’s eaten can help, so give your baby a piece of fruit or some dilute orange juice with her meal.
The same general guidelines apply for weaning your vegetarian baby – don’t do it before six months if at all possible, and be aware of the foods that can cause allergic reactions – common culprits include milk, wheat, eggs, shellfish and peanuts. Play it safe and don’t introduce these to your baby until she’s over 12 months if you have a family history of food allergies and intolerances.
Foods for your vegetarian baby by age
Four to six months
• Gluten-free baby rice.
• Puréed fruit and vegetables – try sweet potato, pears, carrot, butternut squash and apples.
• Breast or formula milk (16-20 ounces a day).
• Cooled, boiled water.
Seven to nine months
• Wheat-based cereals (after 12 months if you have a family history of food allergies).
• Lentil purée.
• Mashed fruits and vegetables, such as banana, avocado, potato, carrots, parsnips.
• Full-fat yogurt and fromage frais.
• Finger foods such as toast slices, pita bread, rice cakes.
• Breast or formula milk (16-20 ounces a day).
• Cooled, boiled water.
10 to 12 months
• Soft cooked pasta pieces
• Well-cooked minced/chopped eggs (after 12 months if you have a family history of food allergies).
• Bread.
• Oatmeal.
• Flaked white fish.
• Finger foods as before, plus soft cooked diced vegetables, pieces of soft fruit.
• Breast or formula milk (12-16 ounces a day).
• Cooled, boiled water.
If you’re raising your baby as a vegan you’ll need to ensure adequate replacements for calcium-rich diary foods – ask a nutritionist for advice. See also vegetarian diet for moms to be.
If you have more queries about how to feed a vegetarian baby, why not chat to other moms about this, or other topics, by leaving a message on the feeding and food or guide to baby areas of our chat forum.
The information in this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.