For the most valuable in life. A vegetarian diet for babies and toddlers – What’s important to know? re you a vegetarian and want to feed your Particularly during the critical phase of infancy Ababy a vegetarian diet as well? That‘s possib- and toddlerhood they need nutrient-rich foods le. However, there are a few aspects you need to in their diet. This way, you can ensure your child’s consider. If entire food groups are missing from a healthy growth and healthy physical and mental baby’s diet, they might lack certain nutrients that development. are necessary for their healthy development. Which forms of vegetarianism are most common? What they do eat and and what Vegetarian diets Which nutrients are scarcely present? they don’t eat Ovo-lacto vegetarianism Meat Vitamin B12, animal protein, iron, zinc, Fish iodine, long-chain polyunsaturated Eggs omega-3 fatty acids like DHA* Milk and dairy products *Docosahexaenoic acid Lacto vegetarianism Meat In addition to those mentioned above: Fish Vitamins D and A Eggs Milk and dairy products Ovo vegetarianism Meat In addition to those mentioned above: Fish Calcium, vitamins B2, D and A Eggs Milk and dairy products Veganism Meat All of the above mentioned nutrients Fish vitamin B12 in particular! Eggs Milk and dairy products Honey For the most valuable in life. Which nutrients are critical and what should you watch out for? VITAMIN B12 DHA ... is an essential vitamin that can only be ingested (a long-chain polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acid; LCP) with animal-based foods. Plant-based sources such ... is a nutrient the body can only absorb in small as shiitake mushrooms or seaweed contain a bio- amounts from plant-based omega-3 fatty acids. The logically ine ective form of the vitamin and do not most important animal source is sh. adequately cover the nutrient requirement. If the mother absorbs su cient amounts from food It is essential that vegans of all ages should take a and nutritional supplements during pregnancy vitamin B supplement. A de ciency in mothers 12 and breastfeeding, the child will be provided with during pregnancy and breastfeeding can have su cient amounts of DHA via the mother. When adverse e ects on their baby’s healthy develop- feeding infant formula, be sure to use one with ment. added DHA! Experts advise against feeding a vegan diet to infants and toddlers without consistent supple- mentation! IODINE ... is hardly present in plant-based foods, which is IRON why vegetarians should make sure that they get enough. You and your family should always use ... supply needs special attention with all forms of iodised salt and consume milk and dairy products vegetarianism. Infants aged 6 to 12 months and on a regular basis. Pregnant and breastfeeding toddlers, in particular, need lots of iron, which can women should also take iodine supplements. This only be ingested with food. Iron from meat can way, breastfed children get adequate amounts from be absorbed better by the body than iron from breast milk while non-breastfed infants get enough plant-based sources. from their formula. Tip: Cereals – especially whole grain – are rich in Since salt should only be used for babies when they iron. In a vegetarian diet, the meat in an infant’s start switching to family food, you should select weaning food diet should be replaced with whole weaning food products that are forti ed with grain cereals (ideally amaranth or oatmeal). iodine, such as ready-to-eat milk cereals. If you only Additionally, iron absorption should be improved feed homemade baby food, babies should receive by adding ingredients that are rich in vitamin C an additional 50µg of iodine per day in tablet form. such as juice, fruits and vegetables to the meal or by feeding them as a dessert. A balanced vegetarian diet with milk and dairy products, legumes and cereals provides your child with su cient VITAMIN D amounts of protein, zinc and calcium. On our website hipp.de you will nd a large selection of vegetarian meals ... the “sun vitamin” is a critical nutrient regardless for all ages. of diet during pregnancy, breastfeeding and early infancy. An extra dose of vitamin D is therefore If you do choose a vegetarian diet for your child, please recommended during all these stages – especially consult your paediatrician and consider specialised when there is a lack of sun exposure. This is why, for nutritional advice. example, growing-up milk serves as a good source of vitamin D during the rst year of life and beyond. The content of this information sheet is based on the recommendations for vegetarian nutrition by the German and Austrian Societies of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (DGKJ August 2018, ÖGKJ October 2018). AL48813-09.2019.