Most women, vegan or not, choose to breastfeed knowing that breast milk is the best food for babies.
Infants don’t need any food other than breast milk for the first four to six months and ideally should continue to be breastfed until at least their first birthday.
However, sometimes breastfeeding isn’t an option.
Some women are unable to breastfeed due to health problems and medications they are taking, or are unable to do so after procedures such as breast reduction surgery.
Some women just don’t seem to be able to produce enough milk.
In these situations, a soy infant formula is needed.
Most soy formulas are loaded with sugar and corn syrup and aren’t made from organic soybeans, so you could be getting GMOs, pesticides, herbicides, antibiotics and other additives.
The best soy infant formula currently on the market is Enfamil ProSobee.
It is also suitable for all ages, babies and toddlers.
READ : Is It Safe to Follow a Vegan Diet during pregnancy
Infants should never be given homemade formulas or regular soy milk.
Babies have very specific nutritional needs, so it is essential to use only commercial infant formulas that have been manufactured to meet those needs.
Health care professionals recommend a soy infant formula that contains DHA ans ARA, two nutrients that are found in breast milk and are very important for mental and visual development.
If the vitamin D3 in soy infant formula is an issue for you, there is another option… that is to acquire donor milk from another vegan mother.
Maybe you already know other vegan moms who would be happy to help.
If not you can always look for vegan groups and forums online and possibly find help that way.
Another option is to find a milk bank.
The HMBANA (Human Milk Banking Association of America) currently has 11 milk banks providing donor milk to the USA and Canada.
You can find locations here : HMBANA milk bank locations
Whatever you choose, you need to do what you feel is right for both you and your baby.
And always make sure that your baby’s progress is monitored by your health care professional, to ensure you are on the right track.