If a mother wants to raise her baby to be Vegan, can she breast feed him/her?

Question

I am wondering if a mother wants to raise her baby to be Vegan, can she breast feed him/her? Is human milk considered to be an animal product the way that cow milk and eggs are? Would this mother have to feed the child formula? Is baby forumla Vegan in itself?

For those who might be wondering, I am not planning on raising any child Vegan or Vegetarian. I'm not vegan or vegetarian nor am I anywhere close to a point where I am going to have children. This is only a theoretical question.

Answer 1

soy based formiula would work, but some are derived from milk, so those would be out, breastfeeding is ok according to a vegan friend of mine...I was nosey so I called her and asked.

Answer 2

Human milk is made for human babies. Of course a vegan would feed her baby her own species specific milk! Better than cow's milk formula!

I know many vegans and vegetarians and all are long-term breastfeeders.

Answer 3

YES! Mothers milk is not considered an animal by product! Formula? NO. There is no such thing as vegan formula to the best of knowledge. (my career is in health supplements) Breastfeeding would be the best way to go.

Answer 4

If you wanted to get a rise out of us you should have made that 17, not 7. In real life breastfeeding is recommended for at least 1-2 years, after which you continue as long as both mother and child desire.

Answer 5

She should only breastfeed. A Vegan would believe that human milk is the natural and only food for the infant.

Answer 6

breastmilk would be best, many formulas are milk based anyways. I know a few vegan families and they are healthy, there are other sources of protein besides animals ;)

Answer 7

You should breastfeed!
Your milk is made for your baby, has NOTHING to do with "animal" products, you are not an animal!

Breastfeed until the baby gets "teeth", then slowly start on fruits (apple, pear, peach, apricot) then veggies (carrot, yams, peas) and also cereals (rice, oatmeal) and start mixing some foods when they are about one year old, rice cereal with banana, sweet potato with peas....and juice.

Answer 8

And the purpose of this would be what again?

To answer the question, breastmilk would be best for the baby. Choosing to raise him/her vegan would be something that you would do after that child was weaned.

Answer 9

I would suggest very strongly that you talk to a pediatrician about this. I have heard that it is not a good idea to start a baby out as a vegan or vegetarian. A baby needs certain nutrients that are only taken from animals or animal products. They need these nutrients to grow healthy. I'm not 100 percent sure about this, but it only takes a few minutes to talk to your babies doctor and get the real facts, for the sake of your baby.

Answer 10

i think that would be dangerous.

any child raised to not have a completely balanced diet will suffer for it in later life. biology made us consumers of veg and meat for a reason, our bodies need it to develop.

if someone decides to be a vegan after their teens and does not make sure that they adequately consume the necessary nutrients that meat give then they face being vegetables in their old age (from 60ish onwards) and this is a real risk because there are many young vegans around nowadays and they might not know what they're doing to themselves.

deciding to be a vegan isn't bad in itself but the choice needs to be robustly informed and not just the result of an emotional response about something that does not take into account your bodily Requirement for a balanced diet.