France has PETA too, but you are technically correct.  This incident was not attributed to PETA.  However, their modus operandi can lead to the same tragedies due to their unbending and mindless adherence to a principal that they do not always follow themselves.

Agreed - nor was that ever alleged.  What was stated and alleged was that a pure vegan (not vegetarian) diet by itself is insufficient for man to exist on.  I am a very strong proponent of breast feeding (although I think doing so after the first year, and definitely after the 5th years is extreme), and have no problems with those who want to eschew meat.  As long as they are not lead down a primrose path of deception of "meat" is not necessary.  If educated correctly about the vitamins a body needs, and that includes the ones that come from meat, they can live a healthy and happy life. When they are indoctrinated with the mantra of "Animals are friends, not food" (Sorry Nemo), then the indoctrinators are at fault for propagating a lie.

That is the extremism I speak of.  Yes it is indeed animal based since we are animals, but all mammals breast feed!  it is natural and a part of nature and the way our physiology developed over eons.  It is pure stupidity to look at it as some type of abnormal substance that must be shunned.

Yeast is an animal.

I do not argue the point, nor should this article be taken as such.

As a clarifier, I will post this part of your comment in the original article. 

You think breastfeeding past 1 year is extreme?  I hope I am misunderstanding you.  

I don't think we disagree as much on this topic as it may seem.  I don't have a problem with vegan lifestyles -- it's not for me, but I don't think it is a perversion or inherently unhealthy.  It's certainly more challenging to maintain good nutrition on a vegan diet than on even a vegetarian diet but I think most of us could eat more nutritiously than we do anyway.

I do agree that it's extreme to choose not to feed a human infant human milk from his or her mother.  I personally think the reasoning behind that is wonky but so far I have not been selected to choose what other people can or cannot feed their kids.  

Re: nutritional yeast, it's a fungus (considered vegan) 

Although I am not happy about the impetus for your article (the baby's death), this is a very interesting topic and I am enjoying discussing it with you.

Quite correct.

As to the breastfeeding, most pediatricians these days recommend it for at least a year as there are demonstrable long term physical and emotional health benefits. A healthy baby will eventually lose the need/desire on their own and essentially wean themselves. I have never thought feeding an infant cow's milk was a good idea.

I just saw that I said fortified cereal includes B12 from animal sources.  That is a typo -- it should read non-animal sources.

Re: breastfeeding

I won't say too much on this topic without the go ahead from you Dr. Guy since it's a slight departure from your original topic (although if you are open to my sharing information relevant to what we've discussed in regards to breastfeeding, I am more than willing to do so) however, as Mason as said, the health organizations and medical professionals recommend breastfeeding a minimum of 1 year and continuing as long as mutually desired by mother and child (AAP).  WHO's recommendation is up to two years and beyond.  

Fact sheet on the benefits of breastfeeding beyond the first year of life:

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/bfextended/ebf-benefits.html

Infants have what is known as an "open gut" and breastmilk serves and immunological function, as the 50+ known antibodies coat the intestines.  During infancy the "open gut" allows intact macromolecules into the bloodstream (great for allowing antibodies from breastmilk IN), which means introducing cow's milk during this early time way create an allergic reaction (since the large proteins can pass into the bloodstream).

Additionally, cow's milk irritates the digestive tract and little ones who consume too much milk (cow's milk is not recommended during the first year, and should be limited to 2 cups thereafter) are at risk for issues with iron absorption and anemia.  

No but you make a good case. Now if only I can talk the wife into it, as I'm a hungry boy!

Kidding aside, Good info TW, you should do an article on it so comes up in web searches. I believe even non-vegan parents would find the information formative.