MILK & INFANT FORMULA
FOR VEGAN BABIES
HUMAN MILK
If possible, it is highly recommended by WHO (the World Health Organisation) and the NHS, that a baby is fed human milk from their breastfeeding/chestfeeding parent exclusively for the first six months of their life. Ideally, this is then extended through to the baby's supplementary feeding journey onto solids up to 2years or beyond. Human milk is highly nutritious and specifically designed for babies’ individual needs. As well as supplying essential nutrients, it contains antibodies which are very beneficial to a baby’s immune system. The action of breastfeeding/chestfeeding itself also provides a beautiful opportunity for parents and babies to bond. Unfortunately, this is not always an option for everyone and some families will need to either: pump their breast/chest milk, source donor milk, or find a suitable infant formula.
Click Here to read more about the goodness of human milk in an article by Medela.
SOYA INFANT FORMULA
At the moment, there isn't a vegan-friendly formula available in the UK market. However, many vegan families use the closest alternative: SMA Infant Soy Formula (formally known as SMA WSOY). This is a soy-based infant formula, which is suitable to use from birth (and up until two or three years old if required). All ingredients are plant-based or vegan-friendly, excluding the vitamin D (which is sourced from lanolin). The formula is nutritionally complete, complies with all UK government legislation for infant formulas, and is mostly well accepted and tolerated by babies. SMA Infant Soy Formula can be purchased from a variety of supermarkets and chemists (without the need for prescription).
IS SOY SAFE FOR MY BABY?
Regrettably, soy-based formulas have a bad reputation in the UK. NHS guidance currently states that soy-based formulas are not suitable from birth and should only be used under medical supervision at 6months, influencing some healthcare professionals to discourage it's use in infants. This is based on concerns of phyto-estrogens and their potential effects on babies’ reproductive development (mainly based on animal studies). Evidence for this is not conclusive, and this cautious guidance is based on limited scientific studies outlining “potential” risks. There are several publications in favour of soy-based formula use, and have not only demonstrated that it is safe for healthy (full term) babies, but can also contribute to normal growth and development without any genuine cause for concern. Soy is naturally a complete protein, meaning that it contains all essential amino acids, and therefore, is a great option for vegan parents who are unable to supply human-milk to their babies.
CLICK HERE to read more about the studies and scientific literature covering soy infant formula.
IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTICE
Soy infant formulas are not suitable for preterm babies or infants with kidney failure, due to the higher aluminium content.
The British Dietetics Association (BDA) updated their published statement on soy-protein formula in 2019. Sadly, it seems that they are still urging caution and are not recommending soy formula as a first alternative to human-milk. However, the updated statement does acknowledge recent studies outlining results of healthy growth and development, as well as clearly stating a clinical need to offer soy-based formula to vegan parents who can not, or choose not to breastfeed/chestfeed:
”The Paediatric Group acknowledges that there is a clinical need for feeding soy based infant formula in the following groups as any potential risk as outlined above is outweighed by the risk of withholding the formula …
Vegan mothers - these mothers should be strongly encouraged to breast feed, but if they are unable to breastfeed or choose not to do so, soy formula would be the appropriate choice.”
Click Here to read the full statement.
This BDA report (along with the articles found in the scientific literature section), may prove useful to those who are discussing the use of soy-based formula with healthcare professionals. As long as families are made aware of the studies that create the current guidelines, healthcare professionals should be supporting families, who have made the informed decision to choose a soya infant formula for their baby.
“Soya infant formulas have been fed to millions of babies wordwide, and do not seem to lead to different general health or reproductive outcomes compared with babies fed cow’s formula.”
PLANT-BASED
HEALTH
PROFESSIONALS
Click Here to see PBHP’s page on
plant-drinks for babies and children.