Are there any vegan formulas? What do I do if I can't breastfeed?

Today I am tackling a question that I see very frequently.  The basis of this question is asking about "vegan" formula, usually as some sort of back-up plan.    And it's usually looking for a recommendation for a brand of soy formula....

So let me tackle this question.   And I'm not going to start the answer by talking about soy formula.    Because honestly this question is fundamentally problematic and more complicated than most people realize.   Many people are also not aware that donor breast milk is an option. 

My first recommendation if you are reading this and currently pregnant, is to get as much education about breastfeeding as you can before the baby is born, rather than focusing on researching formula as a back-up plan.    Join pro-breastfeeding groups.  Read good quality books and articles about breastfeeding (but be careful of the source and that these are not coming from formula companies which also produce materials on breastfeeding).   Research local lactation consultants.   Purchase a pump, items to sterilize the pump, and breastfeeding friendly clothing. 

Also, realize that babies have very tiny stomachs when born.   If the baby is not having enough wet diapers this is a concern.   However many things are often mistaken for the baby not getting enough.   Frequent feedings are not a sign of the baby not getting enough, rather it is the baby building supply.  Neither is how much milk you pump using a pump-some people just don't respond well to pumps. 

Some people start leaking milk while still pregnant and you can take advantage of this by catching the milk if you purchase a milk saver/haakaa* and syringes to store the milk in.    Also, if you are nervous about feeding in public, try to find a local friend who is more experienced who will feed with you in public. 

I have also seen articles while doing research for this that say breastfeeding is "hard", etc. The reality is having a newborn is hard and you are going to have to feed them and get up at night either way.   Set up a situation in advance that will be breastfeeding friendly.   Keep the baby as close as possible, and try to keep the babies in arms reach.  Research safe co-sleeping and/or get a attachable co-sleeper or bassinet that can be right next to your bed. 

As a long time breast feeder I will also tell you something else.   In the long run breast feeding is easier.  Trying to pack a bag with everything your child needs is hard and having a ready supply of milk that doesn't need to be packed for kept from spoiling makes life so much easier.  If your child is upset you have a tool to comfort them.   It can help your child drift off into a nap so you can have a much needed break.   It is also easier if you ever are in an natural disaster situation where resources are limited such as the hurricane in Houston and surrounding areas (parents who formula fed were struggling to find formula). 

Also, if you have questions about breastfeeding I'd recommend asking them in a vegan breastfeeding group such as Vegan Breastfeeding Support rather than a general vegan parenting group**. 

The next best option to feeding at the breast is pumping.   An alternative to feeding at the breast is pumping breastmilk.  This is often used when there is difficulty with latching issues, when the breastfeeding parent has to be away, or sometimes for other reasons.  There are both electric and manual pumps.   If you are in the United States your insurance may cover the cost of an electric pump.   An alternative to using a traditional pump is hand expressing.   Hand expressing can be efficient when you need to be mobile or if you only need small amounts of stored breastmilk.   

If neither pumping nor breastfeeding at the breast are working for you, the next option to consider is donor milk.   To find donor breastmilk I recommend humanmilk4humanbabies which is largely run through facebook. The pages are localized so you should find the local page or pages for your area.  There you can post looking for a donor and view donors with extra milk.  Donor milk is very safe.   You do not need to find a vegan donor-all breastmilk is vegan because it is given with consent and diet does not have much impact on breastmilk. 

If you have exhausted all of these options than the only vegan options I could find are premiriz which is from France.   If you live in France, the UK, or a nearby country you probably will be able to order it, but I have heard it can be more challenging to get it if you live in the United States, but you could try looking to see if it is available.  I have also heard Nestle is coming out with or perhaps by now has come out with a completely vegan formula.   There are also many brands of soy formula, but almost all of them contain non-vegan vitamin D.   This is obviously more vegan than using a dairy based formula. 

*It was brought to my attention that the brand name Haakaa is made out of food-grade material and other brands may not be. 

**I am only recommending this group I am not affiliated with them.  However I do also run a general vegan parenting group that I keep breastfeeding friendly at I love being a vegan parent


Rachelle Kaufman is the author of the Kaufman Green Guides Series, plus several other books including Now I Know My European Language Colors and An American Jew in Budapest.