Parenting Tips with Melanie Wilson

Melanie Wilson is vegan mom to Kalli MacKenzie. She is the owner and editor of Vegetarian Baby and Child Magazine (www.vegetarianbaby.com), a writer, educator, and researcher. She is currently working on her first book on vegetarian parenting. Her articles have been published on iParenting.com, MomsOnline.com, and will soon appear at VegDining.com. She is also an accredited La Leche League Leader.

Question:

Given that my husband and I are interested in adopting, where do I find enough medical information on veganism and infants to convince an adoption counselor that this is not a form of child abuse??

Answer:

It is a sad state of affairs that many people in this country, indeed around the world, still view vegetarianism as dangerous for infants and children. Many pediatricians are still poorly educated about the benefits and the safety of vegetarian diets for children. I recommend that you visit the following websites and read these articles for information and support to share with your doctor. The first two organizations also have wonderful, well-written and professional-looking pamphlets on raising vegan children.

The Physicians' Committee for Responsible Medicine
http://www.pcrm.org/health/VSK/VSK11.html

The Vegetarian Resource Group
http://www.vrg.org/family/

The American Dietetic Association
http://www.eatright.org/adap1197.html
http://www.eatright.org/pr/press071598.html

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