Remember to introduce all new foods separately and allow three or four days between each for any symptoms of intolerance to appear. If there are any signs discontinue this food and refer to your doctor. They will also have a marked effect on her mental growth. No undernourished baby will progress satisfactorily. Nourishment does not rely on bulk, but on the selection of food items which will work together to build their body, supply energy and keep them active and alert.
Careless vegetarianism can be dangerous, even fatal for a child.
The damage can be done even before the baby is born. Mothers to be should avoid taking up a strict vegetarian diet for the first time until after the baby is born, or even until breastfeeding is completed. Children born to recently converted vegetarian mothers can have inherent deficiencies. This need not be so of a practising vegetarian mother who has enjoyed the benefits of a well balanced vegetarian diet for some time. Sarah H. Day is a certified midwife, lactation consultant and a mother of 2 girls.