Does anyone have experience with Soy based formula. I recently switched from regular Similac to Isomil. My 2 month old was really fussy, spitting up sour milk, and only taking two-and-a-half ounces at a time. But, her BM's have really changed consistency, is this normal?
WOW! This was my first post I had no idea how helpful everyone would be. So far so good. I think we'll keep up with the soy for a bit to see what happens. Thanks for all the help though!
Carnation Good Start worked so well for my 2 boys, the comfort proteins really helped! They would scream from the Similac and Enfamil.
BM's definitely change when you change foods. If your baby is happy and thriving I wouldn't worry about it.
Our 3 year old had a hard time digesting cow's milk formula. When I switched from breast-feeding to formula he cried and cried and cried. It was awful. We ended up having to switch to, not only soy, but LIQUID soy. Even the powder was too hard for him to digest. The nutritionist who helped us (after getting NO help from the doctor) said that cow's milk molecules are HUGE and difficult to digest. But that powdered soy is still more difficult to digest than liquid soy.
2 oz is a normsl feeding for a young baby.
soy is very constipating. so the change in bms is expected.
I would not use a soy based formula as it does have natural plant estrogens in it.
we do not know the effects of all of these hormones on very young babies.
I switched formulas 3 times for my first child. Twice with my second, hang in there. I do like baby massage and kind of like pumping there little legs. Like they are running, but laying down. Some times that relieves gas. This can also be a problem.
Yes it is normal..I did the same with my youngest gal when she was a baby "now 5!" she had GERD badly and had to be on the soy..and i found her BMI"s did change in consitency as well..this is normal.
Hi S. - I have to agree w/the other mom who suggested Good Start. With both of mine (who were breastfed at first), I started w/Similac and had fussy babies! Then I switched to Soy and still had the same problems. Once I put them on Good Start, I swear things were much better!! I also noticed a difference giving them the concentrate rather than the powder and I think the type of bottle you use plays a big role as well.
Trying to find the right formula for your baby, seems like chemist's work! Its really hard and no two babies are the same!
Good luck!!!!
My sons were both lactose intolerant from birth. I put them on Isomil, and yes their bowel movements changed for a little while. I wouldn't worry unless your daughter isn't taking enough to make up for what's coming out.
As far as soy formula for babies goes you need to do more research.
Soy mimics female hormones and when babies ingest it, they are consuming the equivalent of hundreds of birth control pills at one sitting.
Some of the long term side effects include early menses in girls (age 7-8) and gynomasty in boys (growth of breasts). I recently had a friend whose now 15 year old son had to have surgery to remove the breasts he grew after having been on soy formula as a baby.
Your babies response is trying to tell you something.
You might want to do a search for The Weston Price Foundation and read more about soy there.
Best of luck!
My DD did soy formula because she was very fussy. At about 3 months (and switching peds) I finally got a diagnosis of reflux! So the soy coupled w/ Zantac worked.
I don't remember her poops changing much. But we made the switch REALLY early.
S.~It also sounds like your daughter might also have acid reflux if she is spiting up sour formula. If you are going to change formulas I would go to Good Start. They do have a soy based on too. I had my kids on Similac and they did really bad on it. As soon as I started them on Good Start they were totally different kids. Good Start is easier to digest them Similac and there is no bubbles after you shake to mix the formula which means no gas in the stomach. Good luck and I hope this helps!
I switched my three month old to soy at two months after having breast milk for two months. He did not do well on regular fomula. His bowel movements changed alot on the soy formula. He usually only goes once a day now and it is alot firmmer in consistency and it smells a lot worse now too. Hope this helps, I think it's totally normal.
YES!!!!!! My daughter was only on soy for a couple days and her BM"S were a blue/green hue....smellier than on regaular Similac and a pasty consistancy. IT's alll NORMAL....Good luck with SOY I hope it works better for you than it did us.
Hi S.,
I had both my daughters on Isomil. Soy, in general tends to bind up most people and causes a firmer BM's. Both of my daughters had to have 1 ounce prune juice deluted w/water daily in addition to their formula, starting fairly early on...2 to 3 month mark or so, per my pediatrican. They say that Soy milk is used w/people of all ages when they suffer from diarreha because it helps. So yes, her BM's will change and become firmer and may even bind her up. Talk w/your doctor and see if they recommend giving her the Prune juice method. Good luck and i hope this helps.
Please do your research with regards to soy formula - I wish I had questioned my pediatrician's recommendations about switching to soy. I found this website very informative and hope you do too. http://www.westonaprice.org/soy/infant.html
Absolutely there would be a difference; been through that with my son, it takes a while for their little tiny systems to "readust"
S.,
My son had to go on soy milk because he was allergic to milk. I ended up having to give him a little bit of juice every day or every other day to help his BMs. I only had to do that for a couple months.
He was very allergic though (threw up and broke out in hives).
He is now 17 months and still allergic and on regular soy milk. He has not had any problems with it all. However, I am nervous about it now reading some of the other responses, so I will talk more to my doctor.
If your son is not allergic, I would suggest trying something else. My other son had the reflux issues and is on Gentlease. This has been wonderful for him. It was a complete change. He went from not being able to be set down for more than a minute to sleeping 12 hours through the night in a month's time.
Baby systems, just like adult systems will change with "what goes in must come out" so if you have changed what's going in, what's coming out will change. Since your baby is so young, maybe you could return to breastfeeding with the help of a lactation coach. My first baby was early and small. She didn't care about eating and was not interested in the energy needed to breastfeed. I put her on a soy formula...only after 6 weeks of pumping. Then the trouble really started. Off the breastmilk she was crabby, had a tummy ache all the time, and was very constipated. I wish I had been more persistent with the breastfeeding. But in answer to your question, it's normal for BMs to change with a change of formula.
