**Please consult with your doctor about being vegan and pregnant to make sure that you are doing the right thing for your baby! Everyone is different.**
Vegan parents have a fantastic opportunity: you can make sure that your baby leads a cruelty-free life from the moment they take their first breath. Of course, to make sure your little one is vegan in all aspects of their new life, there are several things you will need to take care of first.
After all, there is quite a bit of preparation that goes into welcoming a new baby.
However, when you wish to raise your baby vegan, there is even more work to do. Not only is such an effort possible, but it is also completely worth it!
So, if you are an expectant parent and want to know how to bring a vegan baby into this world, here are the things to take note of:
The Top Vegan Baby Products You Will Need
Below, you will discover the vegan counterparts of products that every infant should have:
Vegan Baby Formula
Now, most new moms will try and breastfeed their newborns whenever possible.
However, for some mothers, this isn’t an option. For one reason or another, you may need to substitute or supplement breast milk with formula.
The good news here is that there are vegan formulas available for your little one. What’s more, most experts agree that giving your baby vegan formula is just as healthy as providing them with the traditional formula.
As a vegan, you will need to select a soy-based formula that is free of animal derivatives.
If you are following rather strict guidelines, you should be aware that there are specific soy-based formulas that contain lanolin. Since this ingredient is derived from animal products, you may want to give it a miss.
Vegan Fabric for Baby Clothes and Bedding
Of course, your little one will need plenty of clothes and bedding from the moment they are born.
As vegan parents, your goal will be to find items that are both cruelty-free as well as suitable for infants.
Keep in mind; newborns can’t always wear the same kind of fabrics that adults do. So, when selecting fabrics, stick with the following vegan options:
- Cotton
- Jersey knit (cotton not wool based)
- Bamboo Rayon
- Minky
The two materials that you should avoid:
- Wool
- Fleece
As you are aware, with clothing, it isn’t just about the materials used. As a vegan, you need to be sure that neither animals nor the environment were exploited during the production process.
Of course, this can be difficult to check.
So, if you want to cut down on your workload, stick with clothing brands that specifically make vegan clothes for children.
This way, you will not have to research materials and production processes, making your job as a parent just a little easier.
Cruelty-Free Skincare
The top skincare products that you need for your little one includes soap (or bath wash), shampoo, diaper rash cream, sunscreen, and baby wipes.
You also need to be mindful of the detergent that you are using to wash your little one’s clothes in.
Now, there are two things to consider when determining if a particular product is vegan.
First, are the ingredients vegan? Second, is the production process cruelty-free?
It is important to remember that these can often be seen as two entirely separate things by manufacturing companies.
This is because vegan and cruelty-free aren’t synonymous. Some companies make an effort to keep animal-derived ingredients out of their products.
However, they may source these products from companies that test at least one of the ingredients on animals.
So, by definition, the product may be vegan but certainly not cruelty-free.
Once again, your most straightforward route is to select products from companies that specifically offer vegan products that have not been tested on animals.
Doing so can cut down quite a bit of hassle for any new parent. You can also look for products that have a cruelty-free logo such as the Leaping Bunny logo or brands that have been approved by PETA.
Cruelty-Free Diapers
Although it may be shocking to learn, many major diaper brands conduct animal testing! This is to make sure that the chemicals in diapers are safe for children’s sensitive skin.
If the thought of animal testing and chemicals in diapers horrifies you, don’t worry, there are plenty of cruelty-free options available.
Look for diapers from the following brands:
- The Honest Company
- Whole Foods 365
- Parasol
- Seventh Generation
If you are an eco-conscious vegan, then you would understand that disposable diapers aren’t the best for the planet.
Even while there are biodegradable options out there, these still do end up in a landfill somewhere.
This is why you may want to make the switch to cloth diapers. These are reusable once they have been washed out.
Most are made from top-notch fabrics such as cloth and bamboo, making them safe for your little one’s skin. So, while they may involve a bit more work, this is a route you may want to consider.
Decorating the Nursery
Once you have stocked up on the essentials for your little one, you can then turn your attention to decorating the nursery.
While this can be a rather fun task, as a vegan, there are a few things that you need to keep in mind when undertaking this project.
The Furniture
You should stay away from pieces that are made from leather, wool, and other non-vegan elements.
However, this isn’t the beginning and the end of the process. To start with, opt for cribs, changing tables, and wardrobes made from sustainable wood.
Since there is a good chance that you will be shopping around for second-hand furniture, be sure to look for un-laminated wood.
Some of the older types of furniture are coated with a laminate that is made from animal glue. Thus, it is decidedly not vegan!
The Paint
Although you may not realize it, most traditional paints come with a milk binder protein.
There is also the fact that these paints contain several chemicals that your baby shouldn’t be exposed to. So, it is best to look for vegan paints. Here, the binder is made from a plant-based protein.
It should be noted that these paints are easy to come across, particularly in the United States. Therefore, you should start your search early if you want the nursery to be ready by the time your little one is born.
Tips for Finding Vegan Baby Products
As mentioned, when looking for vegan baby products, you are involved in a rather delicate dance. On the one hand, you want to make sure that no animals were harmed in the creation of the products.
At the same time, as a parent, you have to make sure that these products are entirely safe for your newborn.
Then there is also the fact that while veganism is more widespread than before, it isn’t necessarily mainstream.
Thus, you may have your work cut out for you when finding the right products for your little one. Here are some handy pointers to make this a little easier:
Ask a Pediatrician
Now, since your baby isn’t born yet, you may not have a pediatrician. Nevertheless, it is a good idea to start looking for one now.
She or he can provide you with valuable information on how to take care of your newborn from the very beginning.
In particular, a pediatrician can be somewhat helpful when selecting baby products that are both vegan as well as safe for your child.
For one thing, they may be privy to various studies and tests and will have more knowledge and experience to offer. At the very least, you should use your pediatrician to verify that a particular product is safe for you to use.
Make Defined Lists for Baby Showers
Baby showers are an excellent way for you to cut down on the number of items that you need to buy for your little one. So, such a party can help you whittle down your “must-have” list quite a bit.
However, remember that a number of your friends may not be familiar with vegan baby products.
This is why it is essential to be incredibly specific. Give everyone a list of names of brands that are acceptable.
You may also want to provide them with guidelines about which ingredients or materials are non-vegan.
The more instructions that you provide, the easier it will be to get what you want.
Look Online
As you may have already noticed, it isn’t always easy to find vegan baby products. So, if you aren’t having much luck in your local supermarket, it is time to look online.
Here you will have access to international products, making your search that much easier.
Of course, remember that these products do take a while to be delivered. Therefore, you don’t have the luxury of waiting until the last minute to restock.
You will have to buy in bulk and replenish your order on a more consistent basis.
These are all the ways that expectant vegan parents can prepare for the arrival of their child.
Follow these tips, and your baby can lead a conscientious and untainted life from the very beginning.
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