breastfeeding
Breast feeding bonds child to mother. Babies three months and under should ideally be fed only breast milk. The breast milk of vegetarians may only have 1-2% of PCBs, DDTs, and dioxins, but breastfeeding vegans must be sure to get adequate Vitamin B12 (see also here, here) and iodine to ensure the health of their baby. Unfortunately, there has been a recent spike of PBDEs (flame retardant chemicals) in breast milk.
Topic summary contributed by Denise.
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Watch videos about breastfeeding
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New Vitamin B12 TestWho should get tested for vitamin B12 (cobalamin) deficiency and which is the best test to use: serum B12, methylmalonic acid (MMA), or holotranscobalamin levels?
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Pregnant Vegans at Risk for Iodine DeficiencyDisinfectants used to sanitize cow udder may provide a source of iodine for dairy consumers but can also increase the concentration of pus in milk from cows with staph infection mastitis.
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American Vegans Placing Babies At RiskVitamin B12 is an imperative for those eating vegetarian and vegan diets, especially during pregnancy and infancy.
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Did a Vegan Diet Kill This Baby?Vitamin B12 deficiency can be life-threatening.
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Antioxidant Power of Plant Foods Versus Animal FoodsOn average, plant foods have 64 times more antioxidant power than red meat, poultry, fish, dairy, and eggs, but is it a fair comparison?
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Flame Retardant Chemical ContaminationA way to detoxify one's body of industrial pollutants found in the food supply.
