Vegan diets support normal infant growth

A large-scale study of nearly 1.2 million infants suggests that vegan family diets do not negatively impact growth, offering reassurance to parents and healthcare providers. The retrospective analysis, published in JAMA Network Open in February 2026, tracked growth patterns for up to 24 months, comparing infants from vegan, vegetarian, and omnivorous households.

Growth Patterns Remain Similar

Researchers found that, growth trajectories for length, weight, and head circumference in vegan and vegetarian infants closely mirrored those of their omnivorous peers. While infants from vegan households were, on average, slightly lighter and shorter in the first 60 days of life – differences of around 100g in weight and less than half a centimetre in length – these differences were small and diminished over time.

Did You Know? The study followed almost 1.2 million singleton infants born in Israel between 2014 and 2023.

Early Differences and Birth Weight

The study identified that early infancy was the period where differences were most noticeable. Infants from vegan households had a slightly higher chance of being classified as underweight compared to those from omnivorous households, though the absolute prevalence remained low. Birth weight played a significant role, with infants from vegan households having lower mean birth weights and a higher prevalence of low birth weight.

The Role of Breastfeeding

Mothers in vegan and vegetarian households were more likely to breastfeed for longer durations. Prolonged breastfeeding was associated with slightly higher odds of stunting, but also lower odds of overweight, a pattern consistent with previous research. Adjusting for birth weight and other factors significantly reduced observed differences in postnatal growth.

Expert Insight: This study provides valuable data supporting the idea that well-planned plant-based diets can be compatible with healthy infant development, particularly in settings where preventative healthcare is accessible. However, it underscores the importance of careful nutritional monitoring and counseling.

Future Considerations

The researchers noted that the study relied on caregiver-reported dietary classifications and lacked detailed data on maternal nutrient intake. Future research could benefit from assessing actual intake, supplementation, and biomarkers to better understand diet quality in vegan households. Further studies will clarify the optimal nutritional strategies for vegan pregnancies and infancy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did the study measure?

Researchers compared length, weight, head circumference, and World Health Organization growth indicators among infants from vegan, vegetarian, and omnivorous households.

Were there any differences in growth between the groups?

Infants from vegan households were slightly lighter and shorter in the first 60 days of life, but these differences largely disappeared by around 24 months of age.

What did the researchers recommend?

The researchers recommended careful nutritional counselling during pregnancy and infancy, particularly around nutrients that may be limiting in vegan diets, alongside routine growth monitoring.

As more families adopt plant-based lifestyles, how might healthcare providers adapt their guidance to best support the nutritional needs of vegan infants and mothers?