If you are raising your baby as vegetarian or vegan the early stages of weaning should be no different from weaning any other baby. Your baby's first food should include purees of fruit, vegetables and baby rice or softly cooked vegetables or fruit offered as finger foods if you are baby led weaning.
It will be important to make sure that your baby is getting enough vitamins, minerals, proteins and fats in their diet. They need these to grow healthily. It’s a good idea to talk to a healthcare professional about any supplements you could give to meet ensure your baby meets their recommended daily intake of vitamins and minerals.
Public Health has produced this advice sheet to help you if you have chosen to wean your baby on a vegetarian diet (information from page 18).
If you are worried that your baby is not getting enough vitamins in their diet please call Just One Number on 0300 300 0123 and a member of our skill mix team can help. You can also speak to your GP.
Weaning your baby on a vegetarian diet starts at the same time and in the same way as a baby being offered a meat/fish diet. All babies should start with soft finger foods such as well cooked carrot sticks that can be squashed between your fingers and a wide range of tastes and textures.
Most first foods at 6 months will fall into the vegetarian category and you can access suitable recipes and meal ideas from Start for Life here to get you started.
Continue to breastfeed your baby on demand or offer their first formula as a drink until they are 1 year. Plant based milks are not suitable for babies under 12 months.
Vegetarian Diet - 7-12 Months
From 7-12 months your baby will become more confident in eating and will be having a wider range of foods. They will very likely be eating with the family and sitting with you at mealtimes, in their highchair at the table.
Vegetarian diets can contain a lot of vegetables that are high in fibre and are very filling. This can mean your baby may feel full before they have had enough nutrients from a meal.
As they grow toward 12 months they will increase their food intake and naturally decrease their milk intake so it is important to ensure they are getting enough nutrients from what they are eating every day. Higher calorie foods can help your baby to get enough fats and calories.
If you have any worries or questions about your baby's diet or their growth please call Just One Number on 0300 300 0123. A member of our skilled team will be happy to help.
Vegan Diet
The Food Standards Agency does not recommend a vegan diet for babies and very young children because it can be difficult to provide them with enough energy and nutrients. With careful planning and preparation it can be a healthy diet for your child.
If you choose to wean your baby onto a vegan diet, you want to make sure they are receiving all the nutrients they need. We would advise you seek advice from your GP or Health Visitor before you begin weaning.
If you have any worries or questions about your baby's diet or their growth please call Just One Number on 0300 300 0123. A member of our skilled team will be happy to help.
You can contact the Healthy Child Programme by calling Just One Number on 0300 300 0123 or texting Parentline on 07520 631590. Our opening hours are 8am-6pm Monday-Friday (excluding bank holidays) and 9am-1pm on Saturdays.
To speak to other Norfolk parents and carers, you can join our online community forum below.
