Baby Ari’s Vegan Journey, Part 2 of 2 - Transitioning from Breastfeeding to Solids

Today we are excited to meet baby Ari, who was born healthy to vegan mother Minseol. We'll now see an adorable 10-month-old vegan baby. Let’s see what vegan mother Minseol has to say about her experience during the birth of Ari. “Ari was born exactly on the due date, at dawn that day. She weighed 3.36 kg and was very healthy at birth. I did not feel much pain when I went into labor and wondered if I was having labor pain.”

So, what about the health and development of vegan baby Ari, who was born to a vegan mother? “My child does not have any developmental problems at all and is growing well. Compared to other children, they say she is much taller than average, and her weight is average too.”

Breast milk provides complete nutrients for babies. Experts say that it is very important that breastfeeding mothers should eat enough and get a variety of nutrients. “In the early days of breastfeeding, I ate a lot of seaweed soup, and I tried to eat more protein and green vegetables. I refrained from spicy food or caffeine. I continue to take vegan iron supplements.”

Vegan baby Ari is currently 10 months young and is eating solid baby food, as well as taking breast milk. Vegan mother Minseol explains to us the different stages of vegan baby food preparation. “Weaning usually starts when the baby is six months old. I also started from then. Then gradually reduce the amount of water and increase the amount of rice until it eventually changes to a solid meal like rice.” “Actually, I care most about iron. Because if there is a lack of iron in the baby’s food, it will lead to problems with the baby’s development, and she cannot sleep well.”

Next, vegan mother Minseol shows us how she prepares and cooks brown rice porridge with vegetables, which is vegan baby Ari’s staple food. “Of course, I’m using organic ingredients. Breakfast is similar to this one, but with different types of vegetables. For lunch, I mix the puree with oatmeal powder.”

Now it is vegan father Woojin’s turn to show how he makes a vegan muffin snack for Ari by using bananas, tofu, and oatmeal. The ingredients he uses are all organic.