Breastfeeding And B12
For parents who want to raise their children as vegetarians remember if your diet is healthy, breast milk alone will be enough to fee your new born until the baby is around six months.
One of the dangers attached to bringing baby up as a vegetarian is that there can be a severe lack of vitamin B12 in breast milk which in turn can cause brain damage to your baby. It can also cause anaemia in the mother. Vitamin B12 deficiency could occur if your diet has excluded all foods of an animal origin over a number of years. Vitamin B 12 is found mainly in animal products, milk and eggs.
Mushrooms are often claimed to be a source of B12. However, this is not accurate. They contain a compound with a similar structure to B12 but it doesn’t work like B12 in the body. They may contain some B12 on their surface, from soil (bacteria) or fertiliser contamination
As well as the above there are certain precautions you must take: make sure you eat plenty of the following foods because they contain important vitamins and minerals:
- Protein foods such as nuts, eggs, dried beans and lentils, and tofu.
- Dairy products such as cow’s milk, cheese and yoghurt or soy products fortified with calcium.
- Cereal and grain foods. Fortified or wholegrain cereals and grains
- A variety of fruit and vegetables, including green leafy vegetables.
- Polyunsaturated or monosaturated oils.
If you are a vegan and breastfeeding, you may need vitamin or mineral supplements. Talk to your doctor or dietitian.
For more information on babies feel free to visit our BABIES WORLDWIDE site HERE
