Feeding Baby the First Year: Infant Growth Development - Vegan Nutrition with Dina Aronson, M.S. R.D.

Dina Aronson, MS, RD is a vegan dietitian whose specialties include chronic disease prevention, vegetarian/vegan nutrition, and lifestyle management. She is the founder and director of VeganRD.com, a nutrition consulting company. Active in many vegetarian nutrition organizations, Dina was the recipient of the American Dietetic Association's Recognized Young Dietitian of the Year Award in 2002.

My family is on a vegan diet. My son is 7 months and he weighs 13lb 09oz. I am being told that he is under weight and is not gaining weight fast. We feed him at least five times a day. He eats a lot and is also on almond milk with added Seravit. I would like to know how much calories is he suppose to be getting at his age on a daily basis and what foos are high in calories for him. He already eats a wide variety of fruits and vegatables and peas like lentils and chick peas. Please advise me on what to do. Thank you.

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I don't know what your son's birthweight was or his growth pattern and rate, but if your son's healthcare provider is telling you that he is not gaining weight at the expected rate, then this is cause for concern. Since every child is different, your son's weight might be normal for his length and expected growth patterns, or, it might be lower than expected based on these factors.

In general, a normally growing and developing healthy 7-month-old should be consuming about 600 calories a day. At this age, the main source of calories should be breastmilk and/or fortified infant formula. He should be getting about 24-32 fluid ounces a day. Almond milk (along with other non-formula milks) is not a suitable beverage for children under 1 year; it is low in calories and fat, which are vital for optimal growth and development. Four ounces of breastmilk contains about 80 calories and 5 grams of fat per 4 fluid ounces, while commercial almond milk (Almond Breeze, a common US brand) contains about 30 calories and just over one gram of fat per 4 fluid ounces.

Seravit is a special supplement designed for infants who have severe food allergies, inborn errors of metabolism (genetic diseases where the body fails to process certain nutrients properly), or other serious medical conditions. It has carbohydrates and vitamins and minerals, but no fat or protein.

Almond milk plus Seravit do not mimic the nutrient levels found in breastmilk or infant formula.

In addition to the breastmilk or formula, keep feeding your child appropriately mashed or chopped up fruits (1/4 to 1/2 cup), vegetables (1/2 to 3/4 cup), cereals/grains (1/2 to 3/4 cup), and legumes like beans, peas, and tofu (1/4 to 1/2 cup). These serving suggestions are approximate goals, not guidelines your baby absolutely must stick to. Every baby is different so their needs differ.

It is very important to ensure that your baby is growing appropriately; growth is the best indicator for normal brain and body development, and delays now can result in problems later. Please follow these guidelines and take him to a qualified health professional as soon as possible.

Disclaimer: The advice given here is for eductional purposes only. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified health care provider.

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