Breastmilk or Broccoli? The Vegan Baby Debate. Episode 617

In this episode, Niall is joined by John Carmody, animal welfare activist and committed vegan, to tackle one of the most emotionally charged parenting debates there is: should a child be raised vegan from birth?

The conversation is sparked by a deeply personal email Niall received from a listener — a man married just three years, who has just welcomed his first baby with his wife. Six months ago, his wife became vegan, driven by strong views on animal cruelty. While he found the change awkward at times, especially around cooking and eating out, he accepted it as her personal choice and assumed it might be a phase.

But just two days after their baby was born, everything changed.

His wife told him she intends to raise their child as vegan from birth. What followed was a huge row — and now, near silence. He says he cannot agree to what he sees as forcing an ideology onto a newborn. He fears for the baby’s health, pointing to cases of infant malnutrition linked to poorly managed vegan diets, and says even hospital doctors advised against it. Despite this, his wife refuses to change her mind.

Heartbroken and at a loss, he describes the issue as a potential deal-breaker.

Niall and John explore the ethical, nutritional, emotional, and relational dimensions of the issue. Is it possible to raise a child vegan safely? Where does parental choice end and risk begin? And how should couples navigate deeply opposing values when a child is involved?

A powerful, honest discussion — and a question for listeners: Is raising a baby vegan a responsible choice, or an unfair imposition on a child who has no say?