What Is the Best Soy Formula and Why?

Updated on June 24, 2009
A.D. asks from Gig Harbor, WA
14 answers

My 12 day old baby boy has been having a horrible time with formula. I have tried few different types now, he spits-up a lot and has severe gas. I called my doctor yesterday and he suggested trying a soy formula. I really didnt want to us a soy formula, mainly, because of all of the negative things I have heard about soy. So I got Enfamil Gentlelease instead and he practically spits it all up as soon as he is done drinking it. So, now I am looking for a soy formula. The doctor says it should stop his gas and spitting up. What soy formula do you think is the best and why? Thank you for any and all sggestions.

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So What Happened?

Turns out that the doctor decided not to have my son go on soy formula so now he is back on Similac Advance and seems to be doing great. Look at my "spitting up solutions?"ost to see exactly what the doctor told me and what happened. Thank you for all of the suggestions and advice though. It did help!

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G.W.

answers from Seattle on

I couldn't produce enough milk for my little I was literally running out before her next feeding. We tried regular formula and had the same problems plus really bad constipation. My doctor suggested Enfamil ProSobee. It worked so quickly to stop the all pains and discomfort. I think the soy is easier on there little systems to digest its not as harsch as regular formula.

Good luck

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M.C.

answers from Seattle on

One I really think you need to slow down and let him adjust to each formula first you have tried WAY to many in such a short time. This is not good for him at all!

Two is there a reason why you are not breastfeeding...you have not said...it is not to late to start or restart! Especially if he is having this problem.

Three Neutragama? Very expensive but is a good option.

Four Chiropractor Seriously try it it will not hurt him! Our son was so tight in his chest area and that was what was causing his reflux!

Five how much is he really spitting up...if he is gaining weight he is fine. Yes it may be annoying and less convenient for him to spit up but some babies do this!

You really need to stop...asses the situation better before you change things up even more! Get pumping and make some breast milk for him if you can that is the all time best. Understandable if that is not possible but please PLEASE rethink this constant changing of formula this is not good for him at all!!!!!!!!!!!!

2 moms found this helpful
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M.S.

answers from Portland on

Its been too long (my son is five) to say why I think soy is ultimately best but I can tell you that's what my son had (same issues as your baby) and that's all he still drinks and he's doing great. Great benefits - no ear infections, no gas, no stomach issues and no added hormones. There are just as many issues with milk based formulas as you read about in soy based formulas due to all the additives and hormones that are fed to cows so I think you just need to do what is best for your son. If he is not keeping the milk based formulas down he could be lactose intolerant or have some similiar issues. I am a huge fan of soy myself (great for stablizing my hormones) and my whole family switched when my son did and we haven't had any problems since.

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S.C.

answers from Seattle on

My 3 month old daughter has the same issues as your little one. She also didn't do well with the gentlease. We give her similac Isomil formula and she's doing much better. My older son, now almost four, also took soy as a baby. I beleive he had the enfamil. Really it's what they will tolerate. You may have to experiment a little. I also use MAM bottles, which work really well for babies with gas and spit up issues. Dr. Brown are also good. My ped said there is absolutely nothing wrong with giving soy formula.

Good Luck! I know it's hard!

-S.

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N.I.

answers from Portland on

My daughter-in-law had a baby (he is a year old now) and she said that basically soy formula was made by the same company. Check the labels very carefully and you can probably tell which one was made by which company. I think people think the more expensive ones are better but if made by the same company then just get the cheaper one. Check the ingredients and who makes them on the back of the can. Her doctor had her go on regular milk at a year old.

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A.H.

answers from Portland on

Like a previous poster suggested... Since he is only 12 days old, perhaps you could try to breast-feed or at least pump breast-milk. I highly doubt that your milk is 100% dried up yet and you can probably get your supply back slowly over a week or so if you really work at it. My breast-milk didn't fully dry up for 6 months after I weaned my son. I have a feeling that your baby will be fine if you can simply go back to breast-milk. You can see a lactation specialist asap and they could get you on the road to increasing your supply. Good luck!

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J.F.

answers from Medford on

I highly recommend Baby's Only Organic formula. I've used it for my daughter (also a big spitter) since she was a month old (she's now almost 8 months) and it's been wonderful. What I love about their formula is they're completely up front about all their ingredients and why they use them...and there is no corn syrup or any other questionable ingredients. They also have a soy and even a lactose-free dairy formula, which you may want to try first. If you order by the case from their website there's no shipping.

I found out towards the end of my third pregnancy that I wouldn't be able to breastfeed this baby and learned about this formula from another mom here on mamasource. It's been wonderful and I feel like she's getting something high-quality that will still give her that good start that she needs. You'll notice that they refer to their formula as "Toddler Formula," however, that's only because they try to encourage moms to breastfeed the first year if they can. I showed it to my pediatrician before we started using it and she okayed it for my baby. Check them out at: http://www.naturesone.com/index.php

Good luck!
-J.

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T.C.

answers from Portland on

A.,

Any soy brand is fine. We used on our twins a few years ago. After feeding try sitting baby up for about 20-30 minutes (we had to with one of our boys). This will allow the food to settle easier. Should also help with the gas and spit-up.

Good luck and God Bless,
T.

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K.C.

answers from Portland on

A.,

I didn't read any of the other responses, so don't know if I am repeating anyone but if I were in your position I would check out making your own formula from goat's milk. I think Kelly Mom (website) might have information on it. I had to give my middle daughter formula at 4 months and more than anything I wish I had known I that the goat milk alternative was out there.

Good luck to you, I know how hard it is to handle when dealing with an issue like this.

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T.O.

answers from Portland on

I too, went through the variety of formulas. I ended up using Similac Soy for both my children. It did help with the spit up and gas and seemed pretty gentle on their stomachs. They also had acid reflux, so I had an extra hurdle to overcome. I would think most soy forumulas are pretty similiar. You might want to read the back of a couple and see. Good luck! I remember trying to get my kids to eat and be happy at that age.

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M.P.

answers from Portland on

My granddaughter was allergic to both milk and soy. There is a formula without both that she drank. It has a long name. Maybe something like Nutrigimen. It is expensive but worth it for my granddaughter.

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L.T.

answers from Spokane on

the best is SOY based formula
its better to start since day one
i did it with both of my 2 kiddos after i breastfed them 100% 4 about 3 months then started right away with SOY, no problem with both of them, and after 12 months they went to cows milk with no problems
if u buy soy plz buy the TARGET brand is cheaper and better than the enfamil
just remember: every child is different, so maybe soy might not be the best 4 your child
this is just my little advice 2 u
good luck! =)

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A.Z.

answers from Portland on

Have you considered a Goat's Milk formula? It's easier to digest than regular milk and closer to human milk. Plus there have been many studies suggesting excessive soy exposure in male babies is not healthy due to the effects of raising estrogen levels.

Is breastfeeding an option? Perhaps you can nurse part time and offer formula part time if you are working. If you are having issues with supply, many women find that if they constantly offer their breast, the milk supply goes up. Do as much skin on skin contact as possible too!

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J.F.

answers from Seattle on

My daughter was on Similac Sensitive which is lactose free. Gentelease still has a little lactose in it, so you might try lactose free if you don't want to do soy. Also, have you tried infant gas drops? they worked good for my daughter. And if your boy continues to spit up a ton after trying these different things, you should consider Reflux medication.

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