Is it ok to give soy milk instead of cows milk?

Question

My daughter is 15 months and we have to switch to milk. My husbands family has problems with milk and instead of taking that chance with my daughter right away, im giving her soy milk. Is there anything she isnt getting with soy that she would get with regular milk? Thanks

I dont have problems with cow's milk. I dont like it is the only problem I have with it. I have given my daughter the vanilla milk but just as a treat ocassionally.

Answer 1

You can give her soy milk. The only drawback is that it doesn't have as much fat as cow's milk does. My daughter was drinking soy milk but we switched her because she wasn't gaining enough weight. She's lactose intolerant so we just use Lactaid and that's going well for her. My doctor said soy milk was ok but the only thing he was worried about was the lack of fat.

Answer 2

Soy is reasonable in reasonable quantities, mind you large quantities of anything aren't good. You should also be aware that soy is one of the top 9 allergens and between 30-50% of people with milk allergies (particularly milk protein allergies) are also allergic to soy.

There is some concern about the phytoestrogens in soy milk but you need to weigh that for yourself.

The only real concern I have is that people think soy milk is MORE nutritious than cow's milk because it lists higher levels of certain nutrients like calcium. You should know that soy blocks the absorption of these nutrients so they add more to it. The end result is after drinking 8oz of soy milk or 8oz you more or less end up with the same blood levels.

Soy - Con
http://www.healingdaily.com/detoxification-diet/soy.htm
http://www.life.ca/nl/101/soy.html
http://www.aquarianonline.com/Wellness/soy.html


Soy - Pro
http://www.babycenter.com/expert/baby/babyfeeding/1200425.html
http://www.bryannaclarkgrogan.com/page/page/3476771.htm

Answer 3

The best thing you could do is discuss this issue with your doctor or a nutritionist, as typically children under two should drink cows milk. More specifically whole milk - because of the fat content. The fat in milk is necessary for brain development in young children. However, one has to wonder how a vegan handles this situation????? Perhaps there is a specific brand of alternative milk that would be the appropriate substitute that your doctor/nutritionist - or a die hard vegan can recommend. Good luck!

Answer 4

Soy milk is fine, if he can drink it without any problems it is actually better for him that cows milk. I had put all my kids on soy milk at a year old. and they are all fine.
Soy has more calcuim than cows milk and lot more vitamins including omega 3 , vitamin d , protien, fiber . It is very very healthy and very yummy too. You can also try for like ice cream if you want called so delicious it is to die for . My son is allergic to dairy he gets hives. So I cannot give him any dairy products at all. After scanning many grocery stores for a ice cream alternative i found so delicious and it was a winner. If he has sensitivities to dairy just give him soy or rice milk .

Answer 5

She's perfectly fine on soy if you want to leave her on that. If your husband's family has issues with lactose tolerance, get your daughter tested. My sister is intolerant, and she just couldn't develop sufficient milk to feed. As a precaution, she used soy with both of hers and they were as rolly polly as any baby that drank milk with fat in it. They are no less healthy, and both are now on regular milk just to save the cost of formula. Both are doing fine, have always done fine, and have no health issues.

Answer 6

if the soy milk is good quality and hasnt been processed too much (organic) it if in my opinion better than cows milk. i give both my 2 little boys soy milk because cows milk makes them mucussy and makes my youngest cough. if you live in america there is a good chance the milk contains BGH ( bovine growth hormone) this makes the cow produce more milk than is natural and the bacteria count (pus) is higher. soy milk contains protien which is important for the organs in the body to grow and function and less nasty stuff than cows milk. if you are concerned about nutrition, add a childrens multivitamin to the milk. i give my boys ( and me and my hubby) a nutritional shake from Herbalife and i can sleep easy knowing their little bodies are getting everything they need. hope that helps.

Answer 7

It is just a differente thing. My nephew (1 year old) is allergic to some protein in milk (he is not lactose intolerant). He gets enough feeding through this type of milk (he did since he was born). He is a healthy kid, active like a monkey, strong like a bull... and for my distress, stubborn as a mule! Just a regular kid. The only thing you don't get is so much fat.

Answer 8

They need the fat and cholesterol that comes in whole milk .Wait
until he is two to switch him to soy milk.

Answer 9

it is a great idea good luck milk is really not even good for you my son has grown faster and stronger since i switched to soy milk use so nice not so good it is Greta and the vanilla the baby's love

Answer 10

it is way way better for her to have soy milk, good choice