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Post by grrrlatrix on Sept 8, 2007 20:06:01 GMT
Hi everyone. I have one year old twin boys and although they are not vegan I planned to switch them from formula to soya rather than cow's milk. However, after reading the back of most packets of soya milk it seems that although they can have soya milk as part of their diet it is not suitable as a forumla/cow's milk replacement for babies under 2 years old. I'd really appreciate any advice. Thanks, Jane.
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Post by fezzarooooo on Sept 8, 2007 21:08:15 GMT
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Post by grrrlatrix on Sept 8, 2007 22:04:57 GMT
Thanks very much for your reply. I did try the Vegan Society. I rang their helpline and they said a stright switch from forumla to soya milk is fine at 12 months, but that contradicts what the back of the soya milk packets say. I'm so confused!
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Fauxmage
EV Friend
I eat food.
Posts: 186
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Post by Fauxmage on Sept 9, 2007 5:20:27 GMT
Hi grrrlatrix, you should check out www.vegantwins.com/. Sue is a friend of mine, and she's raising twins who've been vegan since birth. They are now about two and a half years old, and they are healthy and happy! Use the Contact Us link at the bottom of the home page. I'm sure she can give you advice.
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Post by lilachamster on Sept 12, 2007 10:32:09 GMT
I'm not sure about the best answer to this question because the advice on weaning etc seems to change every few years anyway! Sometimes they say put them on solids at 6 months, then 4 months then it's changed back again to 6 months, it's all very confusing, and no doubt the advice keeps changing on milk too, although the one constant bit of advice is usually (and rightly in my opinion) "breastfeeding is best" and these days the WHO themselves recommend it not only for very little babies but up to 2 years is beneficial.
I can tell you that there is one vegan baby milk formula in the UK, and it is made by Farley's. Other soya formula milks such as Wysoy are not vegan as they contain non-vegan vitamin D so as a vegan I would always recommend the Farley's soya if baby/toddler is not being breastfed. If you are at all unsure about switching to ordinary soya milk yet you might like to try Farleys soya formula for a while (but check the packets in case it is only suitable for younger babies as I am not sure if it has an upper age limit). I was a bit of a militant lactivist (breastfeeding for about three years each) with my three children so when it comes to formula milk I have no personal experience of it. Never even mixed up a formula bottle, wouldn't know where to start, and my three are just fine! Not many mums of three these days can say that I suppose.
On the whole it seems to me that the mums who worry a lot about these things are the ones who need to worry the least because they are usually the most conscientious, whether breastfeeding or not, and those who do not worry at all usually they are the ones who probably should be worrying more!
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Post by sluggie on Sept 25, 2007 9:25:43 GMT
This is what the Vegan Society has to say about weaning toddlers: "For the non-vegan child, cow's milk is typically introduced around age 1 year. Commercial fortified non-dairy milks can be added to the diet of vegan toddlers around the same age provided that the child is growing normally, has an appropriate weight and height for age, and is eating a variety of foods including soya products, pulses, grains, fruits and vegetables. For children with slower growth who have been weaned from breast milk, ensure that the diet is energy dense by adding some healthful oils such as olive or rapeseed oil or choosing Plamil's fortified non-dairy milk or Farley's Soy Formula; both are Vegan Society trade mark holders and these product are suitable as a primary beverage as they are higher in calories than other fortified non-dairy milks. Choosing unflavoured varieties of non-dairy milk rather than flavours such as vanilla, cocoa, or carob can help to avoid the development of a preference for very sweet beverages by the young child. " www.vegansociety.com/html/people/lifestyle/families/parenting/vegan_children/There's a lot of anti-soya hysteria about. My own inclination would be to give the child soya or other plant milks, but not in large quantities - perhaps just use on breakfast cereals, and give them water as their regular drink. Diluted apple juice is another option if they won't take plain water.
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