SUPPLEMENTS FOR VEGAN BABIES AND CHILDREN
A GENERAL GUIDE FOR PARENTS
The following is a list of vegan-friendly supplements available in the UK. All products vary in vitamin and mineral content, ingredients, price and eco-friendliness. It is strongly advised to speak with your doctor, midwife, health visitor, or dietitian, and select the products which are best suited to your child’s personal needs, as well as confirming the appropriate dosage for their age.
Unfortunately, the free multi-vitamin available through the NHS ‘Healthy Start Scheme’ is not suitable for vegans. However, if you are eligible for the scheme you can apply to receive credit towards fruit and vegetables. For more information go to: www.healthystart.nhs.uk
This page offers general information on supplements for children as a guide for parents. Please always speak with your child’s healthcare professional before offering any supplements or if you have any concerns about your child’s diet.
VITAMIN D
The Department of Health and Social Care advises that from birth, all babies that are either breastfed/chestfed or drinking less than 500ml of formula daily, should be supplementing with a daily 8.5-10mcg of Vitamin D. Once formula consumption reaches 500ml+ a day, there is no need to supplement as it already contains adequate amounts of Vitamin D. Children aged between 1-4years should be given a daily 10mcg supplement, regardless of the level of sun exposure.
VITAMIN B12
Vegan diets must be supplemented with Vitamin B12. B12 in tablet form is suitable for older children, teenagers and adults, but babies require a liquid supplement. The following supplements can be given to babies between 6month and 2years old, with a recommended dose of 250mcg once or twice per week.
VITAMINS A C & D
The Government recommend that all children aged 6months to 5years, should receive a daily multivitamin supplement containing Vitamins A, C & D. This excludes babies who are consuming 500ml+ daily of infant formula, as it already contains enough of these vitamins.
OMEGA 3
There is no conclusive evidence that indicates a definite need for supplementing with Omega-3 DHA & EPA from algae. Consumption of foods containing Omega-3 ALA (flaxseeds, chia seeds, walnuts etc) allows the body to create DHA & EPA through conversion, but currently we are not fully aware of the conversion rates, though it does seem that they are low. Due to the rapid growth of the brain and visual system in the uterus and in the first two years of a baby’s life, DHA supplementation is highly recommended for: pregnancy, breastfeeding/chestfeeding, babies and children (who are no longer drinking human milk or formula) until at least the age of two years old.
IODINE
Iodine requirements are met through human milk (from lactating parents supplementing with iodine) or the use of infant formula. When children transition to commercial plant-drinks (from twelve months onwards) the options are: choosing a plant-drink which is already fortified with iodine, or taking an iodine supplement. For children aged between one and six years old who need to supplement, Plant-Based Health Professionals recommend a 150mcg dose three times a week.
IRON
Iron levels deplete after six months when babies start their complementary feeding journey. Iron supplements can be useful for babies that are not consuming a lot of iron-rich foods between six and twelve months. In this situation, to prevent the decline of iron stores, there is the option of supplementing with iron until a more varied diet is achieved. Toddlers can also go through fussy stages of eating and may not be consuming enough iron rich foods. It is important to note that Alpro Growing Up Milks already contain fortified iron.
IMPORTANT NOTE
Always check with your doctor or dietitian before giving your child any supplements. An iron overdose can be fatal.
Keep iron supplements out of the reach of children and pets.
