Vegetarian Baby Formulas

This statement is sometimes confusing but is 100% true: Many vegetarians DRINK cow and goat’s milk. Most people assume that vegetarians and vegans are exactly the same. This is not true - and we will discuss this in detail on this blog.

Milk is a healthy and nutritious drink. This is a baby’s primary source of food, especially for newborns. Toddlers, on the other hand, combine milk with solid food for sustenance.

More and more people are becoming increasingly concerned about making healthier choices. Vegetarianism is one of the top choices of families. Parents who practice vegetarianism, want to raise babies with the same lifestyle. There are European organic and vegetarian options for your little one.

We’ll cover the following in this article:

• What is the difference between vegetarians and vegans?
• What is a vegetarian baby formula?
• What is DHA and why do babies need it?
• What are the benefits of a vegetarian baby formula?
• What are the vegetarian baby formula options?

What Is The Difference Between Vegetarians And Vegans?

Both vegetarians and vegans do not eat meat, poultry, and fish. One can say that vegans are stricter than vegetarians because vegetarians eat eggs and DAIRY.

Some say that a vegetarian diet is preferable to a vegan diet because a vegetarian diet contains more protein, calcium, and Vitamin D.

Vegetarians: are people who do not eat products or byproducts of animal slaughter and cruelty.

Vegetarians do not consume the following products:

1. Meat (all kinds of animal meat)
2. Poultry
3. Seafood
4. Other products derived from animal slaughter such as gelatins, stocks, oils, etc.

Many vegetarians consume animal products that are not a result of animal slaughter and cruelty. These products include:

1. Eggs
2. Dairy such as milk, cheese, and yogurt
3. Honey

Vegans: on the other hand, are people who do not consume all animal products.

Vegans do not eat and drink the following products:

1. Meat (all kinds of animal meat)
2. Poultry
3. Seafood
4. Other products derived from animal slaughter such as gelatins, stocks, oils, etc.
5. Eggs
6. Dairy such as milk, cheese, and yogurt
7. Honey

Vegans also do not purchase and use the following products:

1. Leather goods
2. Wool
3. Silk
4. Cosmetics that are tested on animals

What Is a Vegetarian Baby Formula?

Vegetarian baby formulas contain plant-based DHA sources such as algae oil and marine algae.

Vegetarian baby formulas are said to avoid more allergen since it does not contain fish oils unlike most baby formulas in the market. Those baby formulas are not vegetarian since those contain byproducts from animal slaughter.

Vegan milk, on the other hand, is completely plant-based. Some babies are fed with vegan milk because of allergies.

What Is DHA And Why Do Babies Need It?

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is a long chain omega-3 fatty acid. High amounts of DHA are found in breastmilk, fish and other seafood.

DHA is necessary for the growth and functional development of the entire nervous system, including the eyes and brain of infants.

Eye Development

DHA is prevalent in the retina. Photoreceptors, the neuronal cells that make vision possible, have more DHA than any other cells in the body. Healthy levels of DHA in photoreceptors maximize retinal function and protect against damage from bright light exposure and oxidative stress. (8)

Brain Development

The primary growth rate of brain development happens from birth up to years of age when measured in terms of brain weight. (Some parts of the brain though develop throughout childhood until adolescence.) The tissue content of the long chain omega 3 fatty acid DHA is vital in this development stage. Studies show that DHA-rich frontal lobes are thought to be responsible for executive and higher-order cognitive activities such as planning, problem solving, and focused attention (7)

What Are The Benefits of Vegetarian Baby Formula?

Organic vegetarian baby formula jumpstarts babies’ vegetarian lifestyle. If those babies practice vegetarianism in the long run, on average they will have (compared to people with non-vegetarian diet) :

1. Lower risk of heart disease
2. Lower blood pressure
3. Lower blood sugar level
4. Lower body mass index
5. Reduced inflammation
6. Reduced risk for chronic illnesses

Which Baby Formulas Are Vegetarian?

Organic Life Start carries both cow and goat vegetarian baby formula options.

Infant Vegetarian Formulas (Up to 6 Months of Age)

These baby formulas below are especially designed for infants who are 0-6 months old. These offer complete nutrition and are suitable as breast milk supplement or on it own.

Holle Goat Dutch Stage 1 is made from goat’s milk. It’s clean and simple organic formula that has Demeter Certification. It has DHA and Omega 3. It also contains Vitamins A, C, D, and calcium. It does not contain sugar, corn syrup, maltodextrin, soy, palm oil, starch, wheat, nuts, synthetic fillers, and GMO.

• Why Choose?
  • 100% organic
  • 100% vegetarian
  • Demeter Certified
  • Sugar free
  • Corn syrup free
  • Soy free
  • Palm oil free
  • Contains brain development DHA
  • Contains brain development Omega 3

  Check Price

Holle Goat Stage 1 is made from goat’s milk. It’s clean and simple organic formula. It has DHA and Omega 3. It also contains Vitamins A, C, D, and calcium. It does not contain sugar, corn syrup, maltodextrin, soy, palm oil, starch, wheat, nuts, synthetic fillers, and GMO.

• Why Choose?
  • 100% organic
  • 100% vegetarian
  • Demeter Certified
  • Sugar free
  • Corn syrup free
  • Soy free
  • Palm oil free
  • Maltodextrin free
  • Contains brain development DHA
  • Contains brain development Omega 3

  Check Price

Holle Goat Stage 1 is made from goat’s milk. It’s clean and simple organic formula. It has DHA and Omega 3. It also contains Vitamins A, C, D, and calcium. It does not contain sugar, corn syrup, maltodextrin, soy, palm oil, starch, wheat, nuts, synthetic fillers, and GMO.

• Why Choose?
  • 100% organic
  • 100% vegetarian
  • Demeter Certified
  • Sugar free
  • Corn syrup free
  • Soy free
  • Palm oil free
  • Contains brain development DHA
  • Contains brain development Omega 3

  Check Price

Kendamil Classic is made from whole milk of cows. It contains ALA, AA, DHA, Omega-3, Omega-6, and prebiotics. It also rich in essential vitamins such as Vitamins A, C, and D. It does not contain sugar, corn syrup, maltodextrin, soy, starch, wheat, nuts, synthetic fillers, and GMO.

Kendamil Classic Stage 1 is 100% vegetarian because the DHA source for brain development is sourced from marine algae.

• Why choose?
  • 100% organic
  • 100% vegetarian
  • 100% Kosher
  • Sugar free
  • Corn syrup free
  • Soy free
  • Palm oil free
  • Maltodextrin free
  • Contains digestive aid prebiotics
  • Contains brain development DHA
  • Contains brain development Omega 3

  Check Price

Kendamil Goat is made from whole milk of goats. It contains ALA, AA, DHA, Omega-3, Omega-6, and prebiotics. It also rich in essential vitamins such as Vitamins A, C, and D. It does not contain sugar, corn syrup, maltodextrin, soy, palm oil, starch, wheat, nuts, synthetic fillers, and GMO.

• Why choose?
  • 100% vegetarian
  • 100% Kosher
  • Sugar free
  • Corn syrup free
  • Soy free
  • Palm oil free
  • Maltodextrin free
  • Contains digestive aid prebiotics
  • Contains brain development DHA
  • Contains brain development Omega 3

  Check Price

Follow-on Vegetarian Formulas (Ages 6 to 12 Months)

Once babies begin eating solid food, it is important to ensure that they get the right amount of protein and calcium. Babies below 12 months are recommended to drink follow-on milk. These contain the same ingredients as Stage 1 but are especially formulated for larger babies who are exploring solid food. These are vegetarian options for babies:

Vegetarian Toddler Milk

There are vegetarian toddler milk options. Like infant milk and follow-on milk, these contain the same ingredients but are formulated for toddlers. These options especially benefit picky eaters or babies who hardly eat solid food.

Vegetarian Baby Formulas - In Summary

Families who practice vegetarianism and parents who are on the lookout for vegetarian milk for their babies have great baby formula options.

Most Popular Vegetarian Formulas

1. Holle Goat Dutch
2. Holle Goat
3. Kendamil Classic

References:

1. https://vegsoc.org/info-hub/definition/
2. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/vegan-vs-vegetarian
3. https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/becoming-a-vegetarian
4. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325478
5. https://www.nytimes.com/article/vegetarian-baby-guide.html
6. https://www.eatright.org/food/nutrition/vegetarian-and-special-diets/feeding-vegetarian-and-vegan-infants-and-toddlers
7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3738999/
8. https://www.fightingblindness.org/research/can-dha-save-your-vision-1867