URL: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/18162844/
Journal: Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition
Publication Date: 01/2008
Summary: Infants and young children receiving a vegetarian diet should receive a sufficient amount of breast milk or formula and dairy products. Infants and young children should not be fed a vegan diet.
Key Takeaways
Breastfeeding infants until 6 months is optimal. Infants should receive foods that contain bioavailable iron (meat) when parents begin introducing solid foods. Infants should also receive adequate milk in the form of breast milk, cows milk, or formula if being fed a vegetarian diet, and they should NOT be fed a vegan diet due to the likely formation of nutritional deficiencies and growth retardation.