Pediatricians usually recommend soy formula for those babies who need it, including infants with:
Galactosemia
Primary lactase deficiency (a rare condition in which a baby is born without the enzyme to digest the sugar lactose)
Diarrhea and a temporary lactase deficiency ( switching babies to soy formula when they have diarrhea alone is controversial and usually not recommended).
One inquiry we ran across in our research was “Should you switch to a soy formula?”.
It often stops on its own when a baby reaches 4 to 6 months of age. If your infant gets formula as a supplement to breast milk, the AAP states that soy formula has no advantage over cow’s milk-based formula unless the baby has one of the indications stated earlier.
When should I switch to soy formula?
The family is strict vegan. The infant has congenital galctosemia. The infant has been diagnosed as being lactose intolerant.
Should I switch my Baby to soy formula?
Many doctors will recommend trying one of these options first, before switching to a soy formula. For the Super Gas-O-Matic baby, moving towards a gentle or sensitive formula would eliminate allergy issues and deflate a gassy tummy.
Why switch to soy formula?
Soy has more protein, phosphorus and calcium than cow’s milk based formula, because these nutrients aren’t as well absorbed as formula based on dairy, so babies fed soy formula need more of them added. Soy formula is often sweetened with corn syrup which may damage your baby’s teeth when used for long periods of time.
What’s the deal with soy formula?
Soy formula is made out of soybeans. (I know. Shocking. Better call Fox. News.) Soybeans contain phytoestrogens, which have been shown to mimic estrogen in the body. Having too much estrogen, some experts say, can cause puberty to start early in some kids. (Something that’s becoming more and more common .).
Is soy formula good or bad?
While soy formula has not been proven to help with things like fussiness or eczema, babies with certain health conditions may benefit from soy-based formula when breast milk is not available by circumstance or choice. Soy formula may be a good choice for infants living in vegan or vegetarian families or for those with:.
The American Academy of Pediatrics states that soy formulas provide few benefits, as many babies who have cow’s milk allergies will also develop allergies to soy formula, and soy formula is not markedly better for medical conditions, such as colic or gastroenteritis, than cow’s milk.
Can soy formula cause constipation in babies?
Giving these babies soy formula could actually cause digestive problems, including constipation. Com, about 20 percent of babies with a cow’s milk allergy will also be allergic to soy. Both these allergies are typically outgrown as infants or toddlers. Some soy formulas are lower in iron than milk-based formulas.