Is soy formula really good for baby?

Question

I thought I had heard that soy was bad and that the soy formula should be avoided if possible. Can anyone give me some insight or suggest a website that I should explore. Thank you !

Answer 1

There is new research showing that the soy beans used to make soy formula's is genetically engineered. This has been linked to early onset of puberty and other reproductive issues in boys and girls. I would not use it unless you have to. I did for my first two kids due to a milk protein allergy but my third used a milk based formula. (I breast fed for the first year for all of them and the use of formula was limited)

Answer 2

In the book: what to expect when you are expecting" by Heidi Murkoff. It states that Breast milk is always best, but the newer formulas that are out are better than they used to be and a mother who feeds her baby formula can rest assured that the baby wil be fine.....Soy formulas, on the other hand, are not a good substitute for regular formula's or breast milk. Only switch to a soy formula in extreme allergy cases where the doctor recommends the soy formula and will probaby recommend additional nutrional substitutes.

Go pick up the book I mentioned.
It's the pregnancy bible and will help with all these questions. Your question as well as many others that you would not expect is in there. It's excellent in describing all of these little things that worry moms and help distinguish when something is "normal" or not.
Good Luck!

Answer 3

My sister raised her baby on soy formula(born November 2003) because milk based formula gave him painful gas. The baby instantly responded with relief (he was in a lot of pain from lactose intolerance) and is now a VERY bright child of almost three years old. He also gained weight normally and is a perfect size and of good health. I'm five months pregnant and I'm going to seriously consider soy formula for my child because I'm lactose intolerant, too! I think its a wonderful alternative.
here is a good article from Web MD. Hope it helps a little but keep doing your research.
http://www.webmd.com/content/article/13/1739_50974.htm

Answer 4

breast milk is the best, if u want to use a formula, the doctors are going to suggest a milk -based one unless ur child shows an allergy or has problems digesting it.
they will only suggest soy for bad problems, but plenty of vegetarians who cannot breastfeed, or just don't want to, give their babies soy.

they are studies that show nothing is wrong with soy, and there are studies that show there are problems.
there are also studies that show problems with milk based formulas.
so think about what u really want, and then make a decision.

Answer 5

Most Drs do not recomend soy formulas unless there is a problem with cow's milk based formula (of course even cow's milk based formula is not recomended over breastmilk).

Here is what Dr Sears says about soy formula: http://www.askdrsears.com/html/0/T000100.asp#T031004

Answer 6

Depends on what study you read. It won't injure a baby or cause death, unless the baby's allergic to soy for some odd reason.

Some studies have linked the high estrogen content in soy to early onset of puberty in girls and infertility in boys, but there's been no conclusive evidence.

Answer 7

i've got 3 kids and all were fed soy formula due to lactose intolerance. they've turned out fine so far. ages 12, 9 and 7, both boys and girls. of course breast milk is best.

Answer 8

I personally don't think it's all that baby it was the only thing I could drink when I was born they thought I was going to die b/c everything I ate I throw back up... Reg. formula, breastmilk gave me jaudice and that was the last thing which did work....

My son also had to drink soy reg. formula started giving him constapation when he was about 2 weeks old. And from what my mil said that's what my husband had to drink.

My stepdaughter was a colic baby and that actually helped her out alot.

Answer 9

Its good if your babys lactose and tolerant or has a sensitive tummy..but i wouldnt recommend it...soy is usually used by vegetarian familys too...

id tell you to try nestle goodstart before trying soy. dont switch to soy unless your pediatrician has promted you too

try babycenter.com

Answer 10

my 4 month old is lactose. the milk based formula i used to feed him made his stomach hurt really bad, i could just tell. then i switched him to say and what i thought was a bad case of colic cleared up, and hes a happy fat baby now!