The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a plant-based diet for infancy and childhood, provided that it is well planned. Nutrition requirements change throughout the life cycle. The following are more specific nutritional considerations for infants and children.
Infants
Infants’ nutritional needs are best met by their mothers’ breast milk, which helps to build immunity. When breastfeeding is not possible, commercial plant-based formulas for infants are available (not to be confused with regular plant milks).
For the first 6 months of life, infants’ nourishment should be exclusively breast milk or formula. They should continue to receive breast milk or formula at least through their first 12 months. The longer a child consumes breast milk, the better. There is no need for infants to consume another species’ milk (cow’s milk) and in fact, it is a leading cause of childhood constipation.
At around 6 months, it’s time to introduce solid foods to an infant’s diet. Recommended first foods are:
- Whole grains like brown rice and oatmeal, cooked down as congee or porridge.
- Vegetables, including sweet potatoes, green beans, and carrots (thoroughly cooked and mashed).
- Fruits, such as mashed bananas, berries, avocados, peaches, or applesauce.
By 8 months, babies can eat crackers, whole grain bread, and mashed tofu and beans.
Caloric Needs
While most adults require 25 to 30 calories per kilogram (cals/kg), infants require a higher calorie intake per kilogram of body weight. For instance, an infant weighing 4 kilograms requires more than 100 cals/kg, while infants 4 to 6 months who weigh 6 kilograms require roughly 82 cals/kg. Requirements for fatty acids on a per-kilogram basis are higher in infants than adults. These caloric needs can be naturally provided by breast milk when infants are allowed to nurse on demand.
