In a message dated 98-02-17 07:00:57 EST, you write:

<< Mom was a
 strict vegan, i.e., *not even* lacto-ovo, *but only* vegetables and
 grains. Mom's nutritional status was anemic with significant lack of
 B-12 among other things. Her body could not produce for baby what wasn't
 there to begin with. >>
True, vegans do require a source of B12 in their diet, small under-the-tongue
tablets are available. However, this mom 's nutritional status was not poor
because she was "vegan" but because she was not consuming adequate foods as a
vegan. Beans are a good source of protein and iron in the vegan diet, so if it
is true that she was  not eating any ( you didn't mention that she was) I
could see how this could lead to anemia, and problems for the baby as well.
Being a nursing or pregnant vegan carries with it the reposnsibility to eat a
variety of foods which offer the essential nutrients humans need, and to get
B12 via supplememt. All other nutrients can be gotten in adequate quantities
by the educated mom who eats enough. Being vegan is not incompatible with a
healthy nursing mom/baby relationship.
   Also, for the educated mom it is unnecessary to offer meat to the weaning
child, when solids are started. Books like Vegetarian Baby, I think it was
called, give tips on how to make sure that the vegetarian child of a vegan mom
is well-nourished, by pin-pointing good foods to introduce for specific
nutrients.
Judy LeVan Fram, Brooklyn, NY