For more recipes and information, download our FREE eating well resources, including a specific guide for vegan infants aged 1 to under 5, here: www.firststepsnutrition.org/eating-well-...

Unfortified or sweetened (with added sugars, free sugars or non-sugar sweeteners) plant-based drinks are not an acceptable alternative to cows’ milk - this includes any organic plant drink as these products are not fortified.

Whole or semi-skimmed cows’ milk is preferable to plant-based drinks for children aged 1 to 5 years who consume animal products. Fortified & unsweetened (without added sugars, free sugars/non-sugar sweeteners) soya, oat and almond drinks are an acceptable alternative to cows’ milk.

Vitamin B12 is almost exclusively found in animal products and vegan children will require either a supplement or fortified foods (such as unsweetened fortified milk alternatives). Other important nutrients for vegan children include plenty of iron, calcium, iodine, riboflavin, and Omega-3 fats.

Protein sources offered should be varied, such as different peas, beans, lentils, tofu, soya beans, yoghurt or unsweetened plain soya yoghurt, eggs, and nut/seed butters.

In the UK, where food is plentiful and there is a wide range of options available to ensure a complete diet, infants and children can get all the nutrition they need from a vegetarian or plant-based diet alongside appropriate supplements, but it does take thought and planning.

A wide variety of vegetables should be offered to help develop children’s long-term food preferences, and offering vegetarian dishes can help to increase vegetable consumption. Here are some tips for Vegetarian and Vegan infants and children:

Happy #WorldVegetarianWeek! Did you know that all our eating well resources for young children contain #vegetarian recipes? Whether vegetarian, vegan, or not, it is recommended that infants and children eat a wide variety of minimally processed foods.

ICYMI: The Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) published an assessment of the health benefits and risks of consuming plant-based drinks What are the key points parents of young children need to know from a nutrition perspective?

Baby food manufacturers have 18 months to cut sugar & salt and improve labelling under new Govt guidance. With 2 in 3 toddlers eating too much sugar, early nutrition is critical to tackling childhood obesity. Voluntary steps are welcome - but mandatory standards are needed.

Great to see this new costed policy to deliver trustworthy breastfeeding and bottle-feeding support for all families that need it, on the Recipe For Change menu @catherinehine.bsky.social @bfn-uk.bsky.social @sustainweb.org www.recipeforchange.org.uk/policy-inter...

Where can I access breastfeeding support near me? It’s #WorldBreastFeedingWeek and we’re rounding things off by sharing where you can access practical breastfeeding support near you! There are breastfeeding drop-ins, cafes and centres in many areas around the UK

It’s #WorldBreastfeedingWeek and we’re looking at the ways in which we protect breastfeeding with our work here at First Steps Nutrition Trust.

This year’s #WorldBreastfeedingWeek’s theme is "Prioritize Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support Systems," emphasising the need for long-term, equitable support for breastfeeding mothers worldwide.

It’s #WorldBreastfeedingWeek, and today, we’re sharing some resources that might be useful to new mums! Adapting to becoming a mum can be challenging, and you might have lots of questions about how to make sure that you, and your family, can eat well.

Breastfeeding plays an important role in cancer prevention and much more, so it is encouraging to see it getting attention in Parliament. This is a testament to the amazing work of @1stepsnutrition.bsky.social & @katiepk.bsky.social who advocate tirelessly for better nutrition in the early years.

It’s #WorldBreastFeedingWeek organised by @waba_global and to kick things off, today, we’re celebrating UK organisations and schemes working to protect and support breastfeeding Here are some that we love ▶️ @assocbfmothers @thebreastfeedingnetworkuk @unicef Baby Friendly Initiative

❗ @whichuk is naming and shaming companies behind the year’s biggest consumer letdowns in their third annual Shoddy Awards

❗️Read our new report exposing current formula marketing practices in the UK We have compiled a snapshot of the wide range of pervasive formula marketing strategies being used in June and July 2025

Excellent work Knowsley council - marketing of formula milks undermines #breastfeeding AND safe & appropriate formula feeding too. Eg. Parents choosing what they perceive as the best (expensive) brand & then diluting it to make it last longer. #EndExploitativeMarketing www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

What do we & @sustainweb.org members think of the Government 10 year health plan? We've gathered responses here: www.sustainweb.org/news/jul25-1... @oha-updates.bsky.social @foodactive.bsky.social @1stepsnutrition.bsky.social @actionsaltsugar.bsky.social @foodactive.bsky.social

Today the Government published its 10 Year Health Plan for England. 📃 This was the moment for Government to back up the ambition for prevention. Instead, it fails to live up to the promises which have been made over the last year, and the challenge set by Lord Darzi last Summer 🧵👇

This Government has everything to gain and nothing to lose when it comes to working with the public health system to turn things around. Read our full response here: www.rsph.org.uk/about-us/new...

Really helpful article from colleagues who are able to articulate this challenge with the nuance required - Reconsidering “inclusive language”. Thank you @drkarleeng.bsky.social @mathisenroger.bsky.social & colleagues www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

You can read more here: www.rcpch.ac.uk/resources/sp...

A report from @rcpch.bsky.social being launched today in the House of Lords and attended by Alison Morton (iHV CEO), has highlighted significant barriers/difficulties some parents face to get their child vaccinated from serious but preventable diseases ihv.org.uk/news-and-vie...

Did you know that there’s an Adjournment Debate on Infant Feeding Today? Tuesday 1st July 2025 - After the House of Commons Business of the Day You can watch it here: www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/...‍ ‪@jessbrownfullermp.bsky.social‬

Did you know that there’s an Adjournment Debate on Infant Feeding Today? Tuesday 1st July 2025 - After the House of Commons Business of the Day You can watch it here: www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/...‍ ‪@jessbrownfullermp.bsky.social‬

Want to know what we got up to last month? Here are some of the highlights:

Scottish Government sets out visionary national actions for supporting breastfeeding and infant feeding www.gov.scot/publications...

Join us on 16th July at 1pm for the online launch of our Infant Feeding and Work Study report and toolkit! The study explored how breastfeeding mothers can be better supported in the workplace. More details and to register see: research.reading.ac.uk/accommodatin...

It was heartbreaking to hear stories from women taking part in research on the cost of infant formula this week.

❗ Calling all health professionals with an interest in infant milk feeding. There's still time to sign up to tomorrow's 𝟭:𝟯𝟬𝗽𝗺 - 𝟮:𝟯𝟬𝗽𝗺 𝘄𝗲𝗯𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿 here: bit.ly/468xDIy We'll introduce you to our infantmilkinfo.org site and provide insights on how it may be useful in your work. See you there!

We are calling for stronger protection – now – for families using infant formula. The UK government and all devolved nations must fully implement the 11 CMA recommendations

The report finds: ‘Fake science’ on formula and bottles is rampant, while families pay the price for high profits, despite regulatory guidance Social media influencers are paid to promote dubious and misleading health benefits, and these ads drive misinformation

Other parents discuss their mental health suffering, with the high cost of infant formula contributing, and share how they have been forced to use dangerous strategies, like making up formula incorrectly and offering cows’ milk instead of formula before it is safe.

Prof Amy Brown will share parents’ experiences of struggling to afford infant formula - “It’s scary not being able to know you can buy the milk your baby needs & worrying as the end of the tub comes nearer and worrying about how you’re going to find the money to buy the next one”

A new report on UK infant feeding policies from the World Breastfeeding Trends Initiative launches this evening, Tuesday 24 June, in Parliament!

🍼 Prices of #InfantFormula remain high and are unaffordable for many families struggling with the #CostOfLivingCrisis When will the government respond to recommendations from the @cmagovuk.bsky.social given the risk to children's health? Read more: bit.ly/462WqxG

Very important update from @foodgov - do not give slushies (ice drinks containing glycerol) to children under 7 years of age www.food.gov.uk/news-alerts/...

Here are some of our LLLLeaders in attendance today including Helen Gray who presented WBTi's important work 🤩 LTR Jayne Joyce, Emily Lunny and @helengray.bsky.social with @nctcharity.bsky.social BFC Patricia Wise & @katiepk.bsky.social from @1stepsnutrition.bsky.social

The next meeting of the APPG on Infant Feeding & Inequalities led by @jessbrownfullermp.bsky.social is next Wednesday, June 18th, 1-2 pm. Email her office c/o edmund.legrave @ parliament.uk for the Teams link & invite your MP! We’ll be hearing about the new WBTi UK report #APPGIFI

ICYMI We published our latest infant and follow-on formula cost and trends report & accompanying infographics More ▶️ infantmilkinfo.org/costs/

⚠️ 🍬 Important food alert - imported US Jolly Rancher sweets that may be harmful for young children www.food.gov.uk/news-alerts/...

💻Research spotlight: Estimating the Impact on Parents’ Infant Feeding Choices of Increasing Age Guidance and Adding Sugar Warning Labels to Commercial Infant Foods: A Mixed-Methods Study by Rana Conway and colleagues at UCL See our latest newsletter for a summary www.firststepsnutrition.org/news

Did you know? Over a third of meat consumed by children in the UK is from processed meat? The Food Foundation’s recent briefing paper, ‘Meat Facts’ explores questions around how much meat we should be eating and what type

For inspiration and practical guidance to support eating minimally or unprocessed foods in the early years, see our 'Eating Well' resources, and for plant-based recipes, see ‘Eating Well: Vegan Infants and Under 5s’. www.firststepsnutrition.org/eating-well-...

There is strong evidence that links processed meat overconsumption and increased risk of developing chronic diseases, including bowel cancer. Processed meat does not offer the same health benefits as minimally processed meat, which can be an important source of iron, protein, zinc and vitamin C.