So my Ped doesn't want us to switch to soy based formula because of the hormones that they discovered were in there a few years ago but my little girl is miserable with gas and digestive issues.
I really can't afford some of those fancy formulas but I don't want her to suffer either. We are trying a lot of other things too, but this is one of the big ones that I was thinking of trying.
Any opinions on the matter?
Really, my daughter is 4y and my ped. never said anything about not giving her soy based.
You could the lactose-free versions
You are going to get a lot of opinions.
Opinions against consuming soy are based on out-of-date or unsubstantiated research claims. The recent scientific research on possible effects of consuming soy does NOT indicate it creates problems for infants or people of any age. Soy does not contain hormones. Soy does not trigger the production of hormones. I'm continually amazed at how out-of-date some medical doctors are as far as reading the RECENT scientific research available.
Soy infant formula supports normal growth and development.
"A large retrospective cohort study of 811 men and women who were fed either cow’s milk-based or soy-based infant formula as infants revealed no significant effects on over 30 reproductive and developmental endpoints.1 Researchers concluded that exposure to soy formula does not appear to lead to different general health or reproductive outcomes than exposure to cow’s milk formula. This sentiment is similar to the current position of the American Academy of Pediatrics on the use of soy infant formula, which states “… although studied by numerous investigators in various species, there is no conclusive evidence from animal, adult human, or infant populations that dietary soy isoflavones may adversely affect human development, reproduction, or endocrine function.” 2Before introducing a new food into your child’s diet, always consult your healthcare provider.
Link to study
References:
1. Strom BL et. al. Exposure to soy-based formula in infancy and endocrinological and reproductive outcomes in young adulthood. JAMA. 2001 Aug 15;286(7):807-14.
2. Bhatia J, Greer F, and the Committee on Nutrition. Use of Soy Protein-Based Formulas in Infant Feeding. Pediatrics. 2008; 121:1062-1068.
I'm sort of late in answering, so I'm not sure you'll even see it, but here goes...
I'm surprised your doctor said this. I had the same discussion with my pediatrician (well I guess now that I think about it, my son did just turn 2, so it was almost 2 years ago!!) when my son was an infant and he said most of those studies are kind of bunk. There is nothing exactly proven about the soy issue and he said if it gives him relief, which it did, I should keep doing it. My son's issue was a milk intolerance, but plenty of gas was attached to that problem!!! He grew out of that issue by one year, so hopefully your daughter will too.
I also bought the Target brand soy and it was so much cheaper! I think maybe you should try it if you've tried everything else.
Soy formula was the only formula my daughter could take. I tried every other option first, but she was absolutely miserable!! I switched her to soy and she became a completely different baby. She was on the Target brand soy formula $13.69 a can so not expensive.
I have heard that one should avoid soy at all costs. Have you just started to experiment with other formulas? I don't have an extensive formula experience since we only used it for months 6-12 for our daughter. If cost is an issue, look for the generic version at Target, Walmart wherever you shop. We were using a brand name formula (nothing special like for upset tummies) that was about $25 at our Target. When we went to BJ's (bulk store) we found their store brand version, nearly twice the size and for $19.99....maybe try that.
I know it might make things tight but when it comes to your little one feeling better, spend what you need to so they are not in pain and figure it out later. Best of luck!!!!
I switched to soy formula to supplement for my baby for the same reasons. I think that you should ask the doctor to give you some literature to support those claims and make some other suggestions. Meanwhile, I htink that you should switch and monitor your baby for changes. Baby's gotta eat.
My son had the same gas issues, and we tried all the different formulas (lactose free, broken down whey protein, regular, etc) and the only one that helped him was soy. Now at 10 months, it is suspected that he has a cow's milk protein allergy. We have not had ANY problems with the soy formula and have been very thankful that we were able to find something that worked.
