pediatrician who has experience with vegan babies?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a pediatrician I would certainly report you to CPS for child abuse.

Did you buy your degree off the street?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP I wish you luck but let's be real here, you wanted to stir up some shit and were spoiling for an argument or at least to be able to read an ensuing argument between other parties. A 2 second google search turns up data that 1 million people (and this is from "Vegetarian Times", so at best is the high end of the data) are vegan in the US. Out of over 300million. So you know damn well that in such a limited population that there are absolutely more focused resources and groups online that would be better equipped to handle your question rather than a random grouping of people from the same geographic area. You would be better served to find the info on a nationwide site vegan resource site and narrow down than the other way around and you know that. So this is stirring up shit under the guise of looking for help.

Oh, okay, DCUM police! I'd venture that the majority of the questions on this board could be solved with a Google search. But let's pick on the vegan lady!

NP isn't "picking on her", she's just calling BS on the motive of "oh, just wondering your experiences..........." . OWN IT.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son was vegan for the first 2 years of his life. He was allergic to dairy and eggs, and we are vegetarian, so no meat.

He did very well. He was breastfed (which mean vegan for me--how I missed my cheese!), and when he started solids, he was not picky at all. Avocado, beans, oatmeal. Calcium fortified foods. Everything covered in olive oil, and coconut milk as a drink--tons of fat in there. He did great.

By 2, the allergy to dairy passed, though he is still sensitive to eggs, so we added dairy in. But he was fine without it.

My point is children, babies especially, can be vegan and absolutely thrive, in spite of the strange straw man above trying to insist breastmilk isn't vegan. What is the point there, anyway?

What did you do about vitamin B for your child?

He ate lots of sweet potato baked fries, bananas, nutritional yeast on pasta. I didn't worry about it that much.

I would. The handful of people I know who went vegan, all had to quit after a few months to a year because their health went downhill.

OH MY GOD! Please just stop. I've been vegan for 9 years and vegetarian for almost 21. I am healthier than most people I know. I am fit and strong as are most vegans I know.

PP, try being a little honest with yourself. It's necessary in 99% of the cases to supplement your diet with vitamins if you are vegan. Therefore, it's pretty obvious that it's not a "natural" or "healthy" diet. I mean, good for you. The environment thanks you, but you're fooling yourself if you think it's healthier.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are vegetarian. The docs at capital medical group have never even batted an eye at it.

+1 Though I do think being vegan presents a different set of challenges than being vegetarian, and that more pediatricians would have either limited experience and/or discomfort with the practice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP I wish you luck but let's be real here, you wanted to stir up some shit and were spoiling for an argument or at least to be able to read an ensuing argument between other parties. A 2 second google search turns up data that 1 million people (and this is from "Vegetarian Times", so at best is the high end of the data) are vegan in the US. Out of over 300million. So you know damn well that in such a limited population that there are absolutely more focused resources and groups online that would be better equipped to handle your question rather than a random grouping of people from the same geographic area. You would be better served to find the info on a nationwide site vegan resource site and narrow down than the other way around and you know that. So this is stirring up shit under the guise of looking for help.

Oh, okay, DCUM police! I'd venture that the majority of the questions on this board could be solved with a Google search. But let's pick on the vegan lady!

NP isn't "picking on her", she's just calling BS on the motive of "oh, just wondering your experiences..........." . OWN IT.

The OP sounded perfectly reasonable and in fact did get some helpful responses. You on the other hand sound unhinged. Sorry questions about non-mainstream diets provoke you so.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son was vegan for the first 2 years of his life. He was allergic to dairy and eggs, and we are vegetarian, so no meat.

He did very well. He was breastfed (which mean vegan for me--how I missed my cheese!), and when he started solids, he was not picky at all. Avocado, beans, oatmeal. Calcium fortified foods. Everything covered in olive oil, and coconut milk as a drink--tons of fat in there. He did great.

By 2, the allergy to dairy passed, though he is still sensitive to eggs, so we added dairy in. But he was fine without it.

My point is children, babies especially, can be vegan and absolutely thrive, in spite of the strange straw man above trying to insist breastmilk isn't vegan. What is the point there, anyway?

What did you do about vitamin B for your child?

He ate lots of sweet potato baked fries, bananas, nutritional yeast on pasta. I didn't worry about it that much.

I would. The handful of people I know who went vegan, all had to quit after a few months to a year because their health went downhill.

OH MY GOD! Please just stop. I've been vegan for 9 years and vegetarian for almost 21. I am healthier than most people I know. I am fit and strong as are most vegans I know.

PP, try being a little honest with yourself. It's necessary in 99% of the cases to supplement your diet with vitamins if you are vegan. Therefore, it's pretty obvious that it's not a "natural" or "healthy" diet. I mean, good for you. The environment thanks you, but you're fooling yourself if you think it's healthier.

You pulled 99% out of your ass. Stop fooling yourself!

[Anonymous]

I am vegan and was vegan during both of my pregnancies.
I gave birth to 2 fat, healthy babies who turned into strong, fast toddlers. Veganism isn't a bad thing. It is way healthier than some of the s**t you people feel your kids.
And no...they don't eat a lot of soy.
Lots of almond/hemp milk, nuts, nut butter, whole grains, beans, fruits and veggies. They are energetic, happy and have remained in the 90th percentile or higher since birth.

[Anonymous]

Did anyone answer the question? OP, Michelle Barnes Marshall. Our religion encourages vegetarian/vegan diets and she has always been supportive of our choices. Fwiw, and I hope she wouldn't mind me sharing, her religious affiliation is the same, so she knows many people who have made non standard decisions.

She also is super careful to remind us to get them enough iron, protein, fat, etc. and actually has good advice on how to meet a child's needs on a variety of diets.

Good luck, OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Did anyone answer the question? OP, Michelle Barnes Marshall. Our religion encourages vegetarian/vegan diets and she has always been supportive of our choices. Fwiw, and I hope she wouldn't mind me sharing, her religious affiliation is the same, so she knows many people who have made non standard decisions.

She also is super careful to remind us to get them enough iron, protein, fat, etc. and actually has good advice on how to meet a child's needs on a variety of diets.

Good luck, OP.

Perhaps you should have asked prior to outing her on the Internet.

[Anonymous]

Is she an Adventist, PP? Our children go to her and we love her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is so ridiculous. I'm the OP. I was not asking this question to flame or incite the boards. Yes I plan on breast feeding, and no I do not believe that breast milk is non-vegan. Veganism is a philosophy that you avoid encouraging animal suffering by not eating animals or wearing animal products. Once this baby is born and is able to eat solid foods, I do not plan on feeding him meat, eggs, or milk. I don' t think that is so unreasonable, and I absolutely plan on making sure he has a healthy, well-rounded diet, hence my question about pediatricians in the area that can give me information and support.

The issue is more than semantic. Breast milk is an animal product. Of course any breast fed baby is eating a diet based on animal protein, and in fact if exclusively BF, is eating a diet exclusively based on an animal protein. As long as you are BFing your infant, it matters little if the rest of her diet is devoid of animal protein. You can call this "vegan" if it makes you feel better, but don't fool yourself about this important distinction.

Because the real question is whether a baby or young child can thrive on a diet totally devoid of animal protein. As long as your baby is BFing or drinking dairy-based formula, there is no issue. (I personally think soy formula is problematic and should be avoided if possible.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is so ridiculous. I'm the OP. I was not asking this question to flame or incite the boards. Yes I plan on breast feeding, and no I do not believe that breast milk is non-vegan. Veganism is a philosophy that you avoid encouraging animal suffering by not eating animals or wearing animal products. Once this baby is born and is able to eat solid foods, I do not plan on feeding him meat, eggs, or milk. I don' t think that is so unreasonable, and I absolutely plan on making sure he has a healthy, well-rounded diet, hence my question about pediatricians in the area that can give me information and support.

The issue is more than semantic. Breast milk is an animal product. Of course any breast fed baby is eating a diet based on animal protein, and in fact if exclusively BF, is eating a diet exclusively based on an animal protein. As long as you are BFing your infant, it matters little if the rest of her diet is devoid of animal protein. You can call this "vegan" if it makes you feel better, but don't fool yourself about this important distinction.

Because the real question is whether a baby or young child can thrive on a diet totally devoid of animal protein. As long as your baby is BFing or drinking dairy-based formula, there is no issue. (I personally think soy formula is problematic and should be avoided if possible.)

No, you are being semantic, because the issue is not whether breastmilk qualifies as an animal product under a literal definition but whether breastmilk is consistent with vegan philosophical principles, which it is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Did anyone answer the question? OP, Michelle Barnes Marshall. Our religion encourages vegetarian/vegan diets and she has always been supportive of our choices. Fwiw, and I hope she wouldn't mind me sharing, her religious affiliation is the same, so she knows many people who have made non standard decisions.

She also is super careful to remind us to get them enough iron, protein, fat, etc. and actually has good advice on how to meet a child's needs on a variety of diets.

Good luck, OP.

Perhaps you should have asked prior to outing her on the Internet.

How is this outing? She didn't even name the religion.

[Anonymous]

Hi OP - I haven't read the full thread, but not sure if you received answers to your actual question. We live in the City, but go to Virginia Pediatrics Group in Fairfax, VA to see Dr. Jain. It's reverse traffic and a 25 minute drive - which we're fine with. We learned about her through a friend - and have been really pleased. We were vegetarian, but turned vegan when our child had a milk allergy. Had another child since -and the whole family has remained vegan. Dr. Jain has been great - she gets our lifestyle choices, doesn't question it, and is helpful with providing advice on ways to provide nutrition to our children. Honestly though we haven't needed much advice, but just followed our diet which has been balanced anyhow. It is great to have a dr. who respects our choices and she was also helpful when our child was slow in gaining weight during the newborn stage. She didn't pressure us to provide solid foods earlier than we wanted, and gave some helpful tips with breastfeeding and pumping to help get my milk supply up. As you can tell by my length response - we've been pleased with our experience.