vegetarian babies

[renfrog]

hi everyone

i was just wondering how people feel about vegetarian bubs. both me and my partner are vegetarian so naturally so is our 10month old. but the reaction we have recieved from some people has honestly shocked me.
one person even said it was a form of neglect, which is ridiculous, another said we should feed her meat until she is old enough to decide for herself, well how bout the other way round when she is ready and able to make that choice i will let her. why this is even an issue, my DD is happy and very healthy.
her first doctor didnt even understand that i was going to raise my DD vegie and insisted that i put her on vitamim supps at only 6 1/2 months even though they are not recommended for children under 1. so i got a second opinion and was told as i am still breast feeding if i maintain good iron and vitamin levels in myself and feed her a balance diet it shouldnt be a problem.

i just dont understand why i am getting this reaction, i do not push vegetarianism on anyone else as it is a personal decision, the same as when my DD is old enough she can make that choice herself i will not push it on her, so why are meat eaters getting so defensive. it is your choice to eat meat, mine not to so why is there a problem.

i realise the way i wrote this may seem defensive aswell but i am comfortable with the decision i have made and the lifestyle our family has chosen. i would appreciate other views on the subject also any other veg mums out there, what reaction did you recieve.

[BJelly]

Hi Renfrog

I'm not in quite the same situation, but I thought I'd put in my 2 cents worth. I'm vegetarian(lacto-ovo), but my husband isn't - he's a meat eater.

I have known at least one vegetarian woman who raised her kids vege, and they seemed fine. From what I've read the main thing is to make sure that kids get enough fats in their diet - as well as the usual nutrients.

I've decided to let my child make her own decision about what's right for her. I won't go out of my way to give her meat, but I wouldn't stop her from trying it when the time comes.

As long as you guys educate yourselves and ensure your child gets all the nutrients he/she needs, (and it sounds like that's exactly what you've done) I don't think there is anything "wrong" with bringing up your child vege. In fact it's a lot healthier a diet then many children would get I'm sure - after all the high rates of child obesity and diabetes we have are no accident.

I guess people will always freak out about things they don't understand, even trained professionals - doctors may know a lot about certain things, but they aren't dieticians, so they will have their own biases and limits to their knowledge.

Best of luck with everything!

[Refresh]

I am in the exact same situation as BJelly and I second everything she said. If you are concerned get advice from a Nauropath not a doctor. :o
You are doing what you believe is right fir your child and that's all anyone needs to know :cool:

[betty]

hi,
i'm a strict vegie with a vegie baby about 5 weeks away,
I just wanted to say to all you vegie mums, stick to it as it does make a big difference and don't worry about what people have to say, they will always be judgemental of something that goes against what the general populace believe...

[renfrog]

thanks for your comments

it is a wierd situation when people find out you are going to raise your baby vegie, but i am more than comfortable with the decision and i know what nutrition she needs. i was just intrieged by the reaction. if i was going to raise my baby christian no one would say why not atheist until she is old enough to decide, thats all. its amazing the way people react when you dont follow herd. :rolleyes:

[belli]

its a real toughy and I often worry about it.

Im a veggo (with no kids). My sis is a pregnant vegetarian.

I don't know what I would do. I would like my kid to make their own choice but I just can't stomach washing up after meat (its gross).

I think if you bring the kid up veggo but let him eat meat when you go out it would be ok, as then it would be the child's choice.

I don't know. A toughy.