Software Vault: The Diamond Collection/The Diamond Collection (Software Vault)(Digital Impact).ISO/cdr15/vegsocuk.zip/INFANTS.TXT

Text File | 1995-03-13 | 11KB | 251 lines

                            VegSocUK Information Sheet
                              THE VEGETARIAN SOCIETY


   ___________________________________

                                  INFANT DIET

WEANING VEGETARIAN BABIES

   Taking the first steps in bringing your child up as a vegetarian isn't
   difficult. Remember that the nutritional requirements of a small baby are
   high, needing more protein, calcium and most other nutrients than at any
   other time of life. It is now widely recognised, even by the British Medical
   Association, that a vegetarian diet can provide all the nutrients needed for
   growing infants.

   Bringing up your child as a vegetarian, you will want to get them used to the
   vegetarian food groups: cereals, beans, nuts and seeds, dairy and soya
   produce, fruit and vegetables. Your baby may reject stronger-tasting foods,
   such as broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage, at six months but may like them
   several months later.

   It is quite safe to bring up your baby as a vegan, with no animal foods at
   all, as long as you make sure that plenty of nutrient-rich foods are
   included. Vegan babies need good sources of calcium, vitamin B12, vitamin D
   and protein.

   Weaning is a gradual process that begins when you start to replace milk with
   solid foods. Solid foods should not be introduced earlier than three or later
   than six months. After six months, babies need a source of iron in their diet
   as breast or formula milk can no longer provide enough. When you begin
   weaning your baby, introduce one food at a time and leave a few days between
   each new food. This way, you will be able to tell if your baby is allergic or
   sensitive to any particular food.
   ___________________________________

STAGES OF WEANING

  4-5 MONTHS

   Breast or formula milk is still the most important source of nutrition. Start
   by introducing one teaspoon of baby rice or pureed fruit after a milk feed or
   in the middle if this works best for your baby. The nutrition of the food is
   not so important at this stage as milk still supplies all the baby's needs.
   Just one solid feed a day should be enough for most babies at this stage.

    Other foods to try are:

      Pureed vegetables, such as potatoes, carrot or spinach

      Pureed fruit, such as apple, banana or pear

      Baby rice, corn meal, sago or millet can all be given as a thin porridge.

      Do not give wheat, oats, milk, nuts or eggs.

  5-6 MONTHS

   Milk is still the most important food in your baby's diet, but gradually
   increase the number of times solid food is given from once to twice and then
   three times a day.

   Try mashed lentils with some added vegetable oil and a wider variety of fruit
   and vegetables such as avocado and green vegetables. It is still too early to
   introduce wheat, oats, milk, nuts or eggs.

  6-8 MONTHS

   Most babies will by now eat solids although milk is a large part in their
   diets. Solid foods now provide an important source of iron. Most babies will
   be having solids three times a day. From six months you can start to
   introduce wheat and oat-based cereal such as bread and porridge. You can
   puree or sieve family foods to give variety, as long as they do not contain
   added salt.

   Try introducing tofu, smooth nut butter, and mashed beans. Dairy foods (cow's
   milk, yoghurt and cheese) should not be introduced before six months because
   of the risk of intolerance.  Free-range eggs can be given after six months,
   as long as they are hard-boiled. Some experts recommend avoiding all dairy
   products and eggs until 12 months.

  8-12 MONTHS

   Your baby will gradually be able to cope with lumpier foods. Foods from the
   family table can be given as long as they do not contain salt. Well cooked
   and mashed peas and beans can be introduced at around 8 to 12 months. They
   are difficult to digest and so can cause problems if introduced earlier.
   Avoid sweet biscuits and rusks. Try introducing pieces of peeled apple, raw
   carrot or crusts of bread. When your baby is able to chew pieces of fruit,
   sandwiches and toast can become normal everyday foods. By the age of 12
   months your baby should be enjoying three meals a day.

   Many companies produce baby foods suitable for vegetarians but it's quick and
   easy to prepare your own food for your baby. If you buy shop bought food,
   always check the ingredients label and look out for The Vegetarian Society's
   V symbol to be absolutely sure that it is totally vegetarian.
   ___________________________________

IMPORTANT NUTRIENTS

  IRON

   This is an important nutrient during weaning, as milk is a very poor source
   of iron. Babies are born with their own store of iron but this will be
   depleted by six months. Although iron is less easily absorbed from non-animal
   sources, there are plenty of good vegetable sources.

   Iron-rich foods suitable for babies after six months include: prune-juice,
   pureed apricots, molasses, refined lentils, cereals, well mashed beans and
   green vegetables. avoid cereals that are very high in fibre as these may
   inhibit iron absorption.

   Vitamin C aids absorption of iron from plant foods and so it helps to give
   sources of these nutrients together. Vitamin C is found in frozen, fresh or
   juiced fruit and vegetables.

  CALCIUM

   Breast or formula milk contains all the calcium your baby needs initially.
   Good sources of calcium for the later weaning stages include cow's and
   fortified soya milk, cheese, green vegetables, wholemeal bread, beans,
   lentils, ground almonds, sesame paste and tofu.

  PROTEIN

   Because babies are growing rapidly they require more protein than adults
   compared to their body weight. Breast or formula milk will provide the major
   source of protein for the first eight months. Proteins must be balanced in
   order to get the right balance of amino acids. Combinations of foods such as
   a cereal with beans or lentils, cereal with nuts or seeds or milk on its own
   will provide the right balance of protein.

  ENERGY

   Babies between the age of 6 and 12 months require 700 to 1000 calories a day,
   so they need concentrated sources of energy. Babies and young children do not
   have the capacity to eat large quantities of food and so they need small and
   frequent meals. Their diet should not contain too many foods that are bulky
   or watery. Make sure your baby has some concentrated energy foods like
   lentils with vegetable oil, avocado, cheese or smooth nut butter. Sugar is
   not a good source of energy for babies.

  VITAMIN B12

   Vitamin B12 is made by micro-organisms and is found mostly in animal foods.
   Very young babies will get all the vitamin B12 they need from formula or
   breast milk. Later, vegetarian babies should obtain enough of this vitamin
   from dairy products and eggs.
   Vegan babies will need vitamin B12 from fortified foods such as some soya
   milks, low salt yeast extract or veggie burgers.

  VITAMIN D

   Vitamin D is found in dairy products, eggs and fortified foods like margarine
   and some breakfast cereals, and can be made by the action of sunlight on the
   skin. It is found exclusively in animal foods so vegan babies may need a
   vitamin D supplement. Breast or formula milk should provide all the vitamin D
   needed initially.

  FIBRE

   A diet too high in fibre will fill up a child before their nutritional needs
   have been met and can interfere with absorption of minerals, such as zinc,
   iron and calcium, so refined bran must not be added to a young child's diet.
   If you think your baby is constipated give extra fluid such as water or
   diluted fruit juices.

  MILK

   Babies under two should not be given semi-skimmed milk and children under
   five should not be given skimmed milk because skimmed milk lacks the fat
   soluble vitamins A and D and young children need the energy from fat. Soya
   milks should be specially formulated for babies if they are used instead of
   breast milk and should be fortified if used as an alternative to cow's milk
   for babies and young children.

  SALT AND SUGAR

   These should be avoided in the diet of babies and young children. A baby's
   kidneys are not mature enough to cope with too much salt, and sugary foods
   and drinks are a prime cause of tooth decay. Sugar gives calories without any
   associated vitamins or minerals. In addition, a baby who is encouraged to
   develop a sweet tooth may have problems with obesity in later life.

  NUTS

   Whole nuts and seeds are not suitable for children under five because of the
   danger of choking, but they can be used if finely ground, for example in
   cooking or smooth nut spread.

   Even with the help of this infosheet and the growing scientific evidence that
   a vegetarian diet is a healthy option, you may experience resistance from
   health professionals, family or friends about bringing up your baby as a
   vegetarian. Contact The Vegetarian Society for help in solving any problems
   or answering your questions.
   ___________________________________

FURTHER INFORMATION

  INFOSHEETS

      Calcium

      Iron

      Protein

      Vitamin B12

   Infosheets 1 to 4 A5 sae only  5 to 10 $2.00 + envelope

  BOOKS

      The Childrens' Scrumptious Veggie Cookbook. Marianne Bird, #6.99 + #1.50
      p&p

      Sarah Brown's Healthy Pregnancy. Sarah Brown, #6.99 + #1.50 p&p

      New Recipes for Young Vegetarians. Sammy Green, #3.99 + #1.00 p&p

      First Foods. The Vegetarian Society, 50p + #1.00 p&p

      The Vegetarian Baby. Sharon Yntema, #4.99 + #1.00 p&p

      Vegetarian Children. Sharon Yntema, #4.99 + #1.00 p&p

   All books available from:

   Merchandise Unit, The Vegetarian Society, Parkdale, Dunham Road, Altrincham,
   Cheshire, WA14 4QG.

   ___________________________________


//
This article is copyright to the Vegetarian Society (UK), but may be freely
copied for non-commercial use provided it is kept intact, not altered
and these lines are included.

For futher information contact: The Vegetarian Society, Parkdale, Dunham Road,
Altrincham, Cheshire WA14 4QG, England. Tel: (England) 061 928 0793
email: [e-mail]
//



[The text of this file was obtained from the Vegetarian Society (UK) in
March 1995.]