Is it true that soy formula is bad for babies?

My baby is allergic to cow's milk protien and cannot have regular milk-based infant formula. I used to breastfeed her but she has so many allergies and with my work schedule it became to difficult to keep up with. I know breast milk is the best for her but not possible right now, she is almost 9 months and I stopped nursing her at 6 months. I did the best I could do so don't judge me please. I see so many bad things about soy formula and she is on carnation good start soy, and now I am terrified! She used to be on hypoallergetic formula, but I heard that was bad too. What am I supposed to feed her, without it being bad for her? I love my baby and I just want the best for her.

Is it true that soy formula is bad for babies?
If she can't digest the proteins in breastmilk or normal milk, soy is what's best for her. I was fed soy as a baby and I turned out fine. Just make sure she gets all her shots and her regular checkups. You're doing fine, Mom.
Reply:I'm not sure if soy is good or not good,

But my 7 month old son has been on organic baby formula for,

5 months and he is doing great i als feed him organic baby food.

His milk tastes great and it tastes pure.
Reply:My daughter was on soy and has has no problems. She has actually outgrown most of her allergies. I wouldn't worry about it.
Reply:I have never heard soy being bad.My son had milk allergies and was on AlimentumTill 9 mths then Good Start soy.He is now 14mths 23pds very healthy and always happy.
Reply:yes it is bad. studies recently have shown it to be because soy isn't MILK it will keep you son from getting (oh i dont remember what its called at the time) some kinda vitamins.



Dr's have seen a rise in kids who-though looked normal in so many ways-were really malnourished. soy is good for the babies if you want to keep them from always having milk. but THE MILK sould always be the first choice. oh i remember now it becase it lacks IRON and you can get soy with iron i think..it will say something like -reinforece with iron..something like that..or the dr's say if you give the babies soy only-feed them an iron subsitute as well.



i'm not dr but i just read about this about 2 months ago. i believe the lack of vitamin c and iron gives the kids scruvy.



seriously.



by the way i work for wholefoods and i have a 1 year old.



i had to add that link to just give you some prespective.
Reply:You should be having your doctor and/or health nurse help you along with this process. I had my son on soy formula, but that didn't help his problems, so at five months he went on whole milk and was just fine. Watch out where you "hear" things from - all kids are different, and it sounds as though you need some medical advice.
Reply:My son was on Isomil Soy for about 9 months. It was much easier for him to digest, and decreased his acid reflux symptoms. The doctor recommended soy, so I can't imagine it would be harmful. Now, there are so many restrictions on what goes into formula, I can't imagine any company risking a lawsuit over unsafe formula. Everything that is marketed has to be approved by the FDA. Don't worry. Your baby will be fine. :)
Reply:My son has the same allergy and he is on Similac Isomil Soy Formula. I have never heard anything bad about it other than soy formula tends to make babies constipated than the milk-based formula. My son is 9 months old and has been on soy formula sense he was born, I dried up to quick and he wouldn't latch on properly so I couldn't breastfeed, and he is perfectly healthy. His pediatrician even recommended it so I would think that if it was bad for him then he wouldn't have recommended it.



If you are worried about it then you should just ask her pediatrician, he/she can give you the best advice on what to do.



Good luck.
Reply:Soy formula is fine. Is it best? No, but you know that. You have a good case of mommy guilt. We all get it, at some point, over something. You are doing the best you can . . . none of us will do everything perfect for our children, despite our best intentions. With as many allergies/senstivities your baby has, it may be best to discuss proper nutrition with her doctor. This may be a problem for years to come, so talking about it now just lets the doctor know you are concerned and need as much information as he/she can provide. As for not breastfeeding at this point . . . Congrats on making it 6 months! I believe that in the USA less than 20% of babies are breastfed at 6 months, so you beat the odds big time.
Reply:i have never heard that soy formula is bad. my son drinks soy formula and he is just fine.
Reply:my son got switch to a soy based formula and he is very healthy. he was born a month early and cow based just did not work . so i would just talk to your baby Dr if you are concerned . good luck
Reply:Yes, it's harmful. Soy has estrogen-like substances in it that can really disrupt the babies developing system. I know most doctors say it's safe, but doctors are trained to treat pathology and really are only experts in prescribing medicine and surgery. They have little training in nutrition. If breastfeeding and/or pumping is not an option (even if you've stopped you can relactate), I would make a homemade formula. See links below.
Reply:My first child was also on soy for allergy reasons. She did just fine. At 9 months she should be able to handle anything. Stick with the soy unless you see her reacting to it in a bad way.
Reply:I think I read somewhere that soy wasnt the "best" b/c it doesnt include as much iron...I believe. But I would ignore that to be totally honest. If your darling baby can only stand soy, then go for it. It will definitely not hurt her, and that is what's important, Have you read up on Enfamil Gentlease?