veganism: Basically im expecting my first baby and i'm a vegan. I've heard alot about vegan mothers 'forcing' (encouraging) their veganism on their children, but i really don't want to do this. I haven't always been a vegan, my parents aren't vegans, so i don't see how it is my right to 'force' my opinions and beliefs onto a baby who can't make an informed decision. Although as my baby gets older she might decide that she wants to eat meat and use animal products (which as i said is her choice), BUT as the primary carer (for want of a better word) i will have to prepare meals and provide for her. I believe that i should be a parent foremost and my own needs will come secondary to that. Is this going against what i believe in?|||You are doing the right thing and I applaud your balanced views and open mindedness, you are thinking as a mother not a vegan. Whether we like it or not babies need certain nutrients when they are young in order to grow healthy, these nutrients, proteins and amino acids come from a wide range of food and should not be restricted. As much as people will claim substitutes will be ok, the human body may disagree especially at such a tender age. When older our diets can be more varied. So when the child reaches an age old enough to make an informed and independent decisions then let them choose their dietary lifestyle and support whatever they choose. You will be a good mother, I can see this already.|||not thats being a great mom i feel like this Your a vegan so most of your meals are going to be vegan but after you nurse, you introduce MILK thats your first break from veganism its very good for the baby and still vegetarian one day a week give the baby chicken nuggets, or a hot dog this way she or he can tolerate it. the other days is vegan diet. Allow the child regular cookies, and things like that during playdates. these are easy things without 100 percent going against it all I am super proud of you for not Forcing it on your child But i have a very good feeling your child will in the end decide that vegan is best for them aswell, but if not you have established a very important thing within your little family, Acceptance , tolerance , and most importantly Unconditional LOVE Best of luck to you Meg|||I dont think thats forcing your believes...when you were a baby and a kid you parents werre not vegetarians right and they gave you meat | think is very normal to teach kids about who you are..and if they choose something different then is great to respect them But I am a vegetartian my baby is almost 4 and he loves it...he knows we are different he feels good about it, he doesnt crave mc donalds for example he plays at theplay ground and hasnt ever asked me for a hamburger i cant think of me being vegetarian and preparing meat to my baby..i would say teach him what you are he or she choose you as his mom....he knew you before he or she came here...he or she saw his life your life and choose you..this is a fact is not a coinsidence who our parents get to be we pick them so definetly i will share my beliefs with the baby and then ;et him decide when he get older but like i said mine is 4 and he is like in a party...mom that has ham right and we dont eat that ...and he feels proud he is like mommy...oh and he is 100% healthy and too big for his age (just in case for the people who say they dont develop ok if you dont give them meat)|||no not at all, you are giving your child a choice and if you are a healthy vegan then there is no harm in your child havind a wide variety of foods, i wouldnt knoiw where to start with a vegetarian dish let alone vegan. just make sure she gets all the nutriets she needs.|||I don't think so. I think you are making the right choice by respecting your kid wishes and right to choose, when the child is old enough than you can explain to the child, your views on it, and let the child decide if he?she wants to be a vegan or not. You are making a very wise decision, good luck.|||no not by any means. It means you are being responsible and giving your child all the choices . Just be sure to provide information for both sides..your beliefs and then also the information about eating meat. Don't worry! your going to do fine..and awesome that you will allow your child to make their own choices!!|||no its not! you know what's best for your baby, and I am so happy to see that you aren't trying to force that. :) Too many parents ignore that. I am glad to see that you are giving her a choice.|||Absolutely not! You said it best, you can't force your beliefs on someone else. Your child will thank you for it down the road. I wish everyone had your way of thinking!|||Going vegan at an early age is the worst thought possible. A balanced diet is still the best for growing children...trust me, I know. You can stick with organic food if you like, though. If you have trouble with preparing meat, then you can...ask your husband, or a friend to cook meals for you...You have to think about the fact that as a good parent, you should let your children choose too.|||No, you are doing what's right. It's good that you don't want to force that on her. I agree with you 100%.|||That is absolutely not going against what you believe in.... You can offer her the choice... and explain to her, when she is old enough, why you are a vegan..... however, since you are a vegan and will be feeding her as you would feed yourself, she may just become used to being a vegan...you may not even have to ask yourself this question.....if you feed her as a vegan, this is all she will know until she is older....when she is older, she will want to make the choice for herself, and that is okey.....don't beat yourself up over it... :)|||Children need protein(chicken, fish) to grow into healthy stable adults. She should have a balanced meal. Adults can tolerate this, but children can't. They are constantly growing throughout the years. Good for you on letting her make her own choice.|||I would be most concerned with making sure your baby is getting the proper nutrients from the best sources. Pretty much the best possible food for your baby is an animal product (breast milk). I know people choose veganism for a number of different reasons. If you believe strongly in not eating animal products, then I don't see a problem with instilling that value in your child. Part of being a parent is making choices for them until they are mature enough to make the choices for themselves. But, if you do go vegan, I would definitely make sure you have a reputable, unbiased source for how to properly give your child the nutrition that it needs.|||No Children are people first and need meat to get strong and healthy while growing up.|||The healthiest, tallest, strongest child I have ever seen was not only raised vegan, but raw. As a parent, you have a responsibility to raise your child in the best way that you know. When the child has reached "the age of reason" and can make informed choices, it should be allowed to make its own choices and mistakes. If you know what you are doing, raising a child as a vegan is the healthiest, safest path.|||Nope, it's not going against it. It was your decision to make in the first place, let her make the decision whether she does or doesn't want meat products. Just give her the options when she can start making her own decisions. There are plenty of baby foods out there that combine meat in them and plenty that don't. Always offer up two ideas about b'fast/lunch/dinner for her and let her choose. Your parents fed you and you made a decision, same thing will work for her.