Can My Baby Meet Their Nutritional Needs on a Vegan Diet?

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Wednesday, 11 December, 2024

Introduction 

Well-planned vegan diets are suitable for every stage of life, including infancy and childhood, which is a message that is supported by The British Dietetic Association. Just like every dietary pattern, nutritional planning is important to ensure our little ones get everything they need to support growth and development. Here are some key considerations for plant-based little humans.  

The first six months 

For the first six months of life, babies should be consuming nothing but infant formula or breast milk to meet their nutritional needs.  

Unfortunately, there is currently no vegan-suitable infant formula available in the UK. Products suitable for children with lactose intolerance and cow’s milk protein allergies are available in the UK but aren’t vegan. Vegan suitable formulas are available in Europe and internationally, but at a considerable cost when compared to non-vegan alternatives.  

The definition of veganism recognises that it’s not always possible or practicable to avoid animal use in a non-vegan world, and we recommend that vegan parents talk to their doctor or health visitor about formula feeding options. 

We hope to see more vegan infant formulas available in the future, but these will take time to be developed and tested in clinical trials. The Vegan Society keeps up to date on this topic through our networks and paediatric specialist contacts whilst continuing to advocate for vegan families through our campaign, policy and research work.  

Breastfeeding 

For breastfed babies, it is important that the mother’s diet is providing optimum nutrition, particularly as nutritional needs differ when producing breastmilk. Whilst breastfeeding, protein, zinc, calcium and iodine needs increase. These increased needs can be met by consuming fortified foods, quality sources of protein and appropriate supplementation. See our pregnancy and breastfeeding factsheet for more information.  

Supplementation 

All breastfed babies are recommended to take vitamin D drops from birth. Formula-fed babies do not need to supplement vitamin D until they are consuming less than 500 ml/day as infant formula already has vitamin D added.  

In the UK, all children aged 6 months to 4 years are recommended to supplement vitamins A, C and D. For vegan children there are additional nutrients deserving attention – iodine, vitamin B12 and selenium. VEG 1 Baby and Toddler provides these essential nutrients to cover all bases for vegan children. 

A well-planned vegan diet can provide essential omega-3 fatty acids from nuts and seeds such as walnuts, ground linseed (flaxseed) and chia seeds. Omega-3 is particularly important for little ones as it supports brain, nerve and eye development, so supplementation should be considered. Vegan-friendly omega-3 supplements come from microalgae rather than fish oils and should contain both EPA and DHA. 100 mg of EPA and DHA is recommended for little ones, increasing to 250 mg after the age of two.  

Beyond six months 

Your baby’s main drink should be breast milk or formula until twelve months. It is recommended to wait until your baby is at least six months old before introducing first foods as this is generally considered safer because baby is able to sit and hold their head independently. There are a few ways to introduce food including finger food, smooth food or mashed food. You can speak to your health visitor for individual advice on what is right for your baby.   

Plant-based unsweetened milks can be used in cooking from six months and given as a main drink from one year. Fortified plant-based milks can provide essential nutrients such as vitamin B2 (riboflavin), vitamin B12, calcium and iodine. Get into the habit of reading package labels to check for added vitamins and minerals.  

Rice milk should not be given to children under five due to traces of arsenic. You can read more about plant-based dairy alternatives and choosing which one is right for you and your family.  

UK Reference Nutrient Intakes (RNI) for children aged 0–4 years 

Nutrient 

0–1 year 

1–2 years  

2–4 years  

Energy 

502–718 kcal 

825–885 kcal 

885–1275 kcal 

Protein  

12.5–15 g 

14.5 g 

17.1 g  

Fat 

Saturated Fat 

19–28 g 

6–8.8 g 

32–34 g 

10.1–10.8 g 

34–50 g 

10.8–15.6 g 

Carbohydrate 

Sugars 

62–90 g 

 

110–118 g 

13–15 g 

118–170 g 

15–20 g 

Fibre  

 

 15 g  

Calcium  

525 mg 

350 mg  

450 mg  

Zinc 

4 mg 

 5 mg 

6.5 mg  

Iron  

1.7 mg (0–3 months) 

4.3 mg (4–6 months) 

7.8 mg (7–12 months) 

 6.9 mg 

6.1 mg  

Iodine  

50–60 mcg 

 70 mcg 

100 mcg  

Selenium  

10 mcg (0–3 months) 

13 mcg (4–6 months) 

10 mcg (7–12 months) 

 15 mcg 

20 mcg  

Vitamin B12  

0.3 mcg 

 0.5 mcg 

0.8 mcg  

Vitamin A  

350 mcg 

 400 mcg 

400 mcg  

Vitamin C  

25 mg 

 30 mg 

30 mg  

Vitamin D  

8.5 mcg 

 10 mcg 

10 mcg  

The table above shows the reference nutrient intakes (RNI) defined in the UK for children from birth to four years. These reference values are based on 97% of the population, and if meeting these targets, deficiency is extremely rare.  

Fibre targets haven’t been set for children under two, as lower fibre foods are recommended to reduce bulk, helping little ones meet their energy needs.  

Meeting vitamin D recommendations is difficult without adequate sunlight exposure, which is why supplementation is recommended to meet requirements. 

Vitamin B12 requirements are fairly low. However, plants do not make vitamin B12, which is why supplementation and fortified foods are the only reliable sources. Although needs are low, vitamin B12 is absorbed most efficiently in frequent small amounts, meaning daily supplement doses might be a lot higher than RNIs. Interestingly, there are no upper limits set for vitamin B12 as no toxic effects have been shown. This means there is no harm in combining foods fortified with vitamin B12 with a supplement.  

Allergies 

If your baby already has a diagnosed food allergy, or there's a history of allergy in their immediate family (such as asthma, eczema or hay fever), talk to a health professional before giving them foods containing peanuts. It is up to individual parents and families whether they choose to introduce allergens from animal-based foods. However, it is thought that tolerance to specific allergens develops from frequent exposure, which should be considered when making this decision.  

Will my child have stunted growth on a vegan diet? 

No. As long as children are meeting their nutritional needs and getting enough calories to support growth, then there is no reason why vegan children should have stunted growth.   

There remains a lack of good quality recent studies on vegan children, and studies in adult populations can’t be interpreted for children. The few studies on vegan children have shown that calcium and vitamin B12 intakes were relatively low, emphasising the importance of appropriate supplementation and fortified foods. Positive associations with vegan diets in children show a healthier body composition, lower saturated fat intakes and higher intakes of iron.   

As little ones have higher energy needs, it is important to provide energy-dense foods daily, including healthy fats such as peanut butter, avocado, vegetable oils and spreads. Lower-fibre starchy foods can also be useful for providing energy without filling up small stomachs too quickly, such as white rice, bread and pasta.  

Will my child be iron deficient without animal products?  

No. Meeting iron needs is important for everyone, especially children. Prioritising iron-rich foods can be simple if you focus on including quality sources such as beans, tofu, lentils, fortified cereals and leafy greens. Pairing iron-rich foods with a source of vitamin C such as broccoli, bell peppers and berries can increase the amount of iron absorbed.  

Will my child have weaker bones without dairy? 

No. Following vitamin D recommendations around supplementation and opting for calcium-rich foods can ensure your child’s bones are growing well.  Choosing a calcium-fortified plant milk is a simple way for your child to hit their calcium target.  

How will my child meet their protein needs from plant-based foods?  

Children do not require much protein, and excess animal protein in childhood has been associated with obesity in later life. Quality sources of plant proteins, however, should be included in meals, such as peanut butter, tofu, kidney beans, lentils and chickpeas. Plant proteins also tend to be great sources of other essential nutrients such as iron and zinc, making them nutritionally valuable.  

For more information on vegan health and nutrition, including nutritional planning for under 5s, visit vegansociety.com/nutrition  

References and further information: 

 

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