A guide to Vegan Trademark certified essentials for raising vegan little ones!
Navigating parenthood is a challenge at the best of times but raising vegan children in a non-vegan world can be an added hurdle. To help put you at ease, here's a quick guide to Vegan Trademark certified essentials for vegan babies and toddlers. Being vegan certified with us means the product contains no animal-based ingredients and has not been tested on animals by the company or on its behalf, so it's one less thing you have to go down a research rabbit hole for when making choices for your children without compromising your values.
Nutrition
A well-planned, balanced vegan diet can support healthy living at all ages and life stages, including infants and toddlers, according to the British Dietetic Association. As well as following expert nutrition guidance from our dietitians for vegan infants, toddlers and under-fives, here are some products to stock up on to make mealtimes simpler as well as wholesome:
- Mr Organic legumes, beans and lentils for sources of wholefood protein: Chickpeas, Butter Beans and Beluga Lentils
- Tofoo vegan proteins: Naked Tofu, Tofu Dippers, Seitan and Tempeh
- Meridian nut and seed butters
- The Coconut Collaborative Strawberry & Banana Pouch
- The Collective Dairy Free Suckies
- Koko Dairy Free Yogurt pots in Raspberry and Peach & Passionfruit
- Clearspring Organic Fruit Pureé Pouches
- Superfood Project nutrient rich, fruit and veg Powder Blends (add to breakfasts, milkshakes, cakes and more)
- Strong Roots freezer staples; Pea & Lemon Bites, Spinach & Carrot Bites, Pumpkin & Spinach Burgers, Sweet Potato Hash Browns and Cauliflower Hash Browns
- Mr Organic Kids' Sauces in Tomato Carrot & Parsnip and Carrot, Sweet Potato & Courgette
- PLAYin CHOC dairy free, gluten free, nut free (and plastic free) low sugar chocolate that incorporates a treat with play and learning - the best combination!
Veg 1 Baby & Toddler Supplements
The Department of Health recommends children aged six months to five years supplement vitamins A, C and D daily (unless they are drinking more than 500ml of infant formula daily). For vegans, there are additional nutrients to pay attention to – vitamin B12, iodine and selenium. Supplementation can be a safe and reliable way for kids to meet these nutrient needs as formula and/or breastfeeding declines. Fortified foods and supplementation are the only proven reliable sources of vitamin B12 when abstaining from eating animals, while plants do not rely on iodine or selenium for growth, meaning they can be less abundant in plant-based diets. All of these nutrients contribute to healthy growth and development, which is why The Vegan Society's VEG 1 Baby and Toddler Supplement was developed as a convenient way to meet these nutrient needs for vegan children. Shop our strawberry flavoured liquid multivitamin.
Laundry and cleaning
Of course, being and raising a vegan isn't only about diet. Whether it's everyday laundry for your little ones or cleaning surfaces and toys they love to explore with their mouths, here are some laundry and cleaning products that are Vegan Trademark verified:
- Bio D Nappy Fresh detergent
- Green Mood Organics Laundry Detergent and Fabric Softener - both suitable for sensitive skin and baby laundry
- Bio D Sanitising All Purpose Spray - Plain
- ECOS Toy & Table Cleaner
Skincare and toiletries
Babies’ and toddlers' sensitive skin and delicate bodies mean they need toiletries and skincare specific to their needs, but it can be tricky finding products that contain both no animal ingredients AND involve no animal testing. Remember, products certified by the Vegan Trademark ensure both of these credentials are covered - just look for our sunflower logo! Here are some essentials to put on your shopping list:
Nappies
- The Cheeky Panda Bamboo Baby Nappies (sizes 0-5)
- Bambo Nature Eco Nappies (sizes 0-6) and Overnight Nappies (sizes 3-6)
- The Cheeky Panda Nappy Pants with Bamboo Lining (sizes 4-6)
- Cheeky Wipes Bamboo Nappy Boosters
Wipes
- The Cheeky Panda Bamboo Baby Wipes
- Bambo Nature Wet Wipes
- Mama Bamboo Baby Wipes
- Cheeky Wipes Microfibre Reusable Baby Wipes
Toiletries
- Organii Protective Nappy Cream
- Childs Farm Baby Nappy Cream
- ASDA Little Angels Bedtime Bath, Sensitive Head To Toe Wash, Baby Shampoo, Baby Oil, Baby Lotion and Detangle Spray
- Georganics Kids Toothbrush and Toothpaste (Strawberry)
- Green People Organic Children Toothpastes: Spearmint & Aloe Vera, Mandarin & Aloe Vera and Mandarin & Aloe Vera - With Flouride
- Childs Farm Hair & Body Washes, Baby Soft Scent range, Slumber Time Lavender & Moon Milk Bath Soak, Massage Lotion and Sleep Mist, and fragrance-free Baby All Over Balm
- Childs Farm Sun Creams, Spray, Roll On and After Sun
Travel
With adequate preparation, travelling with your vegan baby or toddler doesn't have to be stressful. Here are a few things to put on your packing list:
- Bentley Organic Mother & Baby Hand Cleanser
- Childs Farm Sun Care (including 100ml and 50ml options)
- Green People Organic Children 50ml Toothpastes (see 'Toiletries')
- Childs Farm 3 in 1 Swim - Shampoo, Conditioner & Bodywash
- Mama Bamboo Eco Travel Wipes
- ASDA Little Angels Pea Puffs, Cauliflower Flavoured Puffs, Carrot Flavoured Puffs, Tomato Flavoured Wheels and Cocoa Flavoured Biscuits
- ASDA George The Gruffalo Bag With Reins if your vegan toddler is ready to carry their own on-the-go essentials!
- VEG 1 Baby & Toddler Supplements: packing vitamin supplements means you won't have to worry about your little one not getting all the nutrients they need while travelling if they're picky about the different setting and foods you might be trying. Your child only needs 1ml a day so if you have baggage weight restrictions, decant the amount needed for the time you're away (plus extra) into mini glass screw cap bottles and pack securely along with a clean syringe.
We hope this guide helps make raising vegan children easier to navigate and you've found some handy products! Make sure to share this with anyone who might find it useful and be sure to share photos of your Vegan Trademark certified finds and tag us on Instagram and TikTok.
By Vegan Society Marketing Officer, Nishat Rahman.
The views expressed by our bloggers are not necessarily the views of The Vegan Society.
