Breastfeeding when vegan
I'm just curious what the vegan stance is on breastfeeding. How many vegans here have had or are planning on having children? Do you/will you breastfeed? Is soy formula the way to go?
I work at a hospital and there is a real push on here to recommend breastfeeding over formula to new and expectant mothers. I'm just wondering what the vegan response would be to our hospital's stance?
According to this article there is no vegan formula available. I would think the vast majority of vegans (most being very health conscious) would be more prone to consider breast feeding than the average woman who may or may not be as health conscious.
I know before I learned about our food supply I wasn't sure I would breast feed. Now there is no way that I won't!
You know, I was aware that vitamin b12 is available only from animal sources (though now-a-days they just take the gene out of a cow and add it to bacteria to get the "animal" source") but until today I wasn't aware that vitamin D comes only from animal sources. "Fish, liver, and egg yolk are the only foods that naturally contain vitamin D"
From http://www.vitamins-supplements.org/vitamin-D .php "Vitamin D2 is derived from fungal and plant sources. Vitamin D3 is derived from animal sources .... Most vitamin D supplements available without a prescription contain cholecalciferol (vitamin D3). "
I mean, I knew about gelatin in gel-caps and most medicines, but not about vitamin D. I also wasn't aware that refined sugar wasn't vegan until I came to this site.
Original Post by knowan:You know, I was aware that vitamin b12 is available only from animal sources (though now-a-days they just take the gene out of a cow and add it to bacteria to get the "animal" source") but until today I wasn't aware that vitamin D comes only from animal sources. "Fish, liver, and egg yolk are the only foods that naturally contain vitamin D"
From http://www.vitamins-supplements.org/vitamin-D .php "Vitamin D2 is derived from fungal and plant sources. Vitamin D3 is derived from animal sources .... Most vitamin D supplements available without a prescription contain cholecalciferol (vitamin D3). "
I mean, I knew about gelatin in gel-caps and most medicines, but not about vitamin D. I also wasn't aware that refined sugar wasn't vegan until I came to this site.
I thought that you could get vitamin D from sunlight? Breastfeeding is definitely vegan because it is not an animal product that humans are not supposed to ingest; mother's milk is for babies just like cow's milk is for cow babies. I believe breastfeeding is a very important way to begin a child's life!
Breastfeeding is the perfect thing for a baby, and it is OF COURSE vegan. I'm really suprised a lot of people didn't know that.
Original Post by bbnomo:
Breast milk being nature's perfect food for babies, I have to think that if it's coming from a mother eating a healthy, plant-based, whole foods diet it would be a far superior food than any formula.
I agree, and so does my baby ;) .,,;lllllllllllllllllllllll <---that is her stamp of approval 
Good reading about vegans & vitamin D
Vegans usually obtain vitamin D from the action of sunlight on the skin or by taking fortified foods such as soya milk, margarine (all of which are fortified by law in the UK), breakfast cereals and vitamin supplements which are made from yeast or other fungi. Fortified vegan products contain D2 (ergocalciferol). Foods with naturally occurring vitamin D are, however, usually animal derived containing the vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol).
The most significant supply of vitamin D (for omnivores as well as vegans) comes from the action of ultra-violet B light on sterols in the skin. Most people, including infants require little or no extra from food when regularly exposed to sunlight when the sun is high in the sky. Bright sunlight is not necessary; even the sky shine on a cloudy summer day will stimulate formation of some D in the skin, while a short summer holiday in the open air will increase blood levels of the vitamin by two or three times the amount.Rest of the article here:
http://www.vegansociety.com/html/food/nutriti on/vitaminD.php ;
Mother's milk is a better "product" than formula. It's lacking in vitamin K (as is formula) but baby will get that within 2 weeks when the gut bacteria start making it for them. The baby is normally given a vitamin K shot at birth to tide them over until then.
Mother's milk is lower in iron than most formulas. The jury's still out on whether that's a good thing or a bad thing, with higher iron meaning less anemia but more digestive problems.
Mother's milk contains low levels of vitamin D. Baby's can make their own vitamin D from sunshine from day 1, but this may be a problem if the baby is born in winter.
Formula uses longer protien chains, which makes it harder to digest. That plus the higher iron content can upset baby's tummy.
Mother's milk contains antibodies and other things that are really only just starting to be understood. The antibodies mean that when momma fights off a disease the baby is immunized against it as well. That's something that no formula can replicate.
Babys who are breast fed also have fewer incidences of allergies and asthma. That plus the antibodies means that they are sick less.
Mother's milk can pass through bad things as well. For example caffiene, alcohol, and certain medications and diseases (especially HIV) can be passed on to the baby.
The only thing specific to breast feeding vegans that I can find is the lower levels of vitamin B12. If the mother isn't taking B12 suppliments then she doesn't have enough to pass off to her baby through the milk. Since vitamin B12 is vital to brain and nervous system growth, and vitamin B12 is available only from meat sources (or suppliments) a lack of b12 in a newborn can be a very bad thing. Of course, as long as mother takes b12 suppliments then she has enough to pass through to the baby.
Its so much more healthier.
As a pediatrician, I of course recommend breast feeding above all else. And even with a good diet, I still recommend that the mom take a multivitamin to keep all of her nutrients on an even keel.
The three vitamins that are relatively low in breast milk are A, D, and C. As has been mentioned previously, Vit D can be made naturally by the skin, but a baby still needs more than that at first. Natural vitamin A and C in the form of vegetables wont start until around 6 months, and even then the vitamin C can still be insufficient because the best source of C is citrus, something that shouldn't be started until after 1 year of age because of allergy risks.
Because of this the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the use of a supplement if breast feeding exclusively.The most known brand is D-Vi-Sol for just Vit D, and Tri-Vi-Sol, for A, D and C, which is what I suggest.
There will be some mothers for physical or medical reasons won't be able to fully breast feed. While there are no vegan formulas, the Similac company has put out an organic one.
but if you cant breastfeed, dont beat urself up over it. there are plenty of women who have supply/latching issues that make it a horrendous experience. i breastfed till my daughter was just about a year-- but the first 2 months she was almost exclusively fed by bottle b/c she couldnt nurse/latch and i had to pump every hour to make it work.
go boobies!!
Yes, breastfeeding is very vegan ;) Breastmilk is created by your body for your baby. It helps your baby grow and you to heal and gives you both wonderful hormones to make it an extra wonderful experience. Most vegan issues with cow's milk is that it is A) for cows B) taken from cows who need to give it to their young and C) isn't good for our bodies. Breastmilk is given (generally) willingly from their human mothers to their human babies and it is the best food for them. Thus, taking away any of the concerning issues that would make it a vegan issue.
I heard a couple suggestions that supply may be an issue. It really bugs me to hear it because it can put question (fear) into your mind about whether or not you're making enough milk. Then silliness ensues. Like trying to see how much you're getting by pumping (pumping will NEVER be as efficient as a baby) and stuff like that (counting wet diapers is the way to go. boobie fed babies even poo less as they're using pretty much everything you're giving them, more proof of efficiency). So let's get that whole supply thing out of the way. Only 4% of women don't make enough milk (and that's not to say they don't make milk at all, just not "enough"). So chances are, you'll be fine.
Most latching issues can be resolved. If it continues to be a problem there are always nipple shields but I'd say avoid it if you can......
The #1 best chance of breastfeeding successfully is to have good support. Make sure you have LLL's number handy. I have many friends who are leaders (one who's actually here on CC) and leaders can be awesome support during such a challenging time (meaning being a new mom, not necessarily breastfeeding ;) ).
Original Post by yahvinah:
hmmmm I am going to look that up! I don't want to recommend a meaty milk to my veggie friends
Of course breastfeeding is the best....and definetely vegan. But if you can't, wouldn't it be best to find a formula that is as close to breast milk as you can? That might entail some kind of vitamins derived from animals...after all, it's vitamins that would normally come out of you. Wouldn't it be wise to choose the formula that is best and most nutritious and breastmilk-like for the baby even if it isn't truly 100% vegan???
+1 on breastfeeding being best.
And YES there is at least one vegan formula. It is Farley's soy by Heinz and it is sold in the UK. I don't think there is any way to get it in the states unless you know someone in the UK ho will ship it to you.
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