The bulky, high fiber, and high water content of a Vegan diet can make it difficult for the young, rapidly growing child to eat enough to satisfy their need for protein and energy. Special care is also needed to ensure adequate intakes of the essential minerals calcium, iron and zinc. The amounts of vitamins supplied by a vegetarian diet are generally adequate except for vitamin B12 which, since it is found most exclusively in animal products, is often insufficient in Vegan diets. A vitamin B12 supplement or soy milk supplemented with B12 is recommended during pregnancy and breastfeeding when demand for the vitamin is high. Up to the age of six months, babies will receive all the nourishment they need from breast milk.
Special soy based formula are available for children under one year of age.
Lacto-vegetarianism, a diet which encompasses plant foods, milk, and milk products, can be acceptable to the baby and small child if cautiously and sensibly administered. This too will need special attention to iron and zinc. A further category of vegetarianism, Lacto-ovo, is by far the most suitable, allowing as it does plant foods, milk, and milk products as well as eggs. This diet can provide adequate protein and the volume of fiber is not excessive. Up to the age of one year, a child requires four times the protein of an adult, weight for weight.