Study of 1.2 Million Babies Finds Infants From Vegan Homes Grow Like Their Peers by Age Two

Babies from vegan homes grow much like other babies by age two, according to a study of nearly 1.2 million infants published in JAMA Network Open on February 2.

Led by Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and the Nutrition Division of Israel's Ministry of Health, the study used a decade of national records (2014 to 2023) covering 1,198,818 infants followed to 24 months. Most came from omnivorous households, with 0.3% from vegan and 1.2% from vegetarian homes.

Differences in weight, length and head circumference between the groups were clinically minor. By age two, stunting was low in every group (3.1% for omnivores, 3.4% for vegetarians and 3.9% for vegans) with no significant difference. Babies from vegan homes were a little more likely to be underweight in their first 60 days, but that gap closed by 24 months, the university reports.

"In the context of developed countries, these findings are highly reassuring," said lead researcher Kerem Avital of Ben-Gurion University. "The data suggests that with the proper environment, plant-based diets do not compromise the fundamental physical development of infants."

The researchers say well-planned plant-based diets, with access to nutritional advice during pregnancy and infancy, are the way to give babies the best start.

Plant-based families have plenty of company these days, with a record 25.8 million people trying vegan for Veganuary 2025.

Great news for vegan parents everywhere.