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VEGAN PARENT'S FAQS
Commonly asked questions
Is it safe What is lanolin?
If you can't find the answers here, then find your local vegan parent's group, or parent's and teacher's vegan books page.
VEGAN PARENT'S FAQS
Midwives & Health Visitors
Contrary to popular belief, midwives and health visitors are generally reasonable people. Their career is being helpful, and they need a strong academic background to get in.
Twice I was directly asked if I'm a vegan, and the reaction was very supportive. Apart from that, there is no need to mention you are a vegan, and it isn't really relevant. A health visitor's job is to find children in danger, not just on special diets. If you are concerned about confrontation, then you could save a link to the relevant NHS website section.
School and family understanding
The Vegan Society publish advice:
How to survive an interrogation about what you choose to feed your child
How to show your family you’re serious about veganism
Find support from other vegans in local vegan parent's groups (baring in mind that online behaviour is not always the most welcoming, so don't take adverse comments to heart!)
Childcare, schools, home education
Read one parent's letters to her child's school.
Go Vegan World also provide Vegan Rights Sample Letters.
Download My Vegan Child is a free online resource for parents, teachers and caregivers of vegan children.
Visit Veducation Consultation and read their book.
Find vegan childcare in the links page.
Vegan birthday cakes, party food, party bags
Attend the party page.
The Vegan Society advice What to do if your child is invited to a party
Vegan pregnancy and nutrition
I'll write this page soon. In the meantime, you can find vegan and plastic free vitamins in the pregnancy shop page.
Vegan breastfeeding and nutrition
The best for baby! I'll write this page soon. In the meantime, you can find vegan and plastic free vitamins in the breastfeeding shop page.
Vegan nipple balm
Find suggested vegan (no sheep wool or bees wax), plastic free products in the breastfeeding shop page. Other plastic ones can be found on the nipple balm page.
Vegan infant baby formula milk
Visit the breastfeeding page for breastfeeding information. Breastfeeding is recommended by medical professionals.
Find information on the vegan formula milk page. Organic rice formula can be ordered from France or Germany at expense. Non-organic vegetarian soya formula is available in the UK. Neither are recommended in the UK unless your baby has allergies, in which case they are recommended. I know vegan parents who have needed to feed their babies animal milk. You can only do your best.
Vegan nappy cream + nappies
Cream: Avoid nappy rash with baby-led toilet training. Use an edible, natural oil, or one of the recommended plastic free products on the bum page. which do not contain bee's wax (cera alba) or sheep's wool (lanolin). Other plastic products can be found on the nappy cream page.
Nappies: Find out which ones don't contain wool on the bum page.
Vegan children's books
Find vegan kid's, parent's, recipe and colouring books which promote a vegan lifestyle- to counter all the other books you come across which promote farms, zoos and circuses as charming places where everyone is friends. I've also found vegan learning resources, videos, toys and stickers.
Vegan recipes and vitamins
The vegan baby-led weaning page has links to nutritional information. Vitamin supplements can be found in the dining page.
Vegan school lunch box snack ideas coming soon.
Vegan baby shoes
Shoes are only necessary when a baby learns to walk. Prior to this people use them for aesthetic reasons. We managed to get on the feet, and keep on the feet: ankle welly boots, moccasins, plimsolls. Baby can now wear anything, but likes bare feet best. Visit the vegan children's shoes page.
Vegan school shoes
Visit the vegan children's shoes page to find out which shops stock smart vegan children's shoes in dark colours.
Vegan holidays and meals outs
The vegan family holidays and cafes page shows a map of vegan BnBs with family rooms, and cafes which have told me they have high chairs, changing facilities, and/ or toys. The accommodation and cafes listed are in the UK, Ireland, and parts of Europe with a direct Eurostar train from st Pancras! I also have a blog about vegan festivals with children's activities.
You can find a similar list of vegan parenting resources in Vegan Runner Eats.