My twins birthday is next week and I can't believe a whole year has gone by! I plan on introducing whole cow's milk on and after their birthday. I am still breastfeeding with no plans to stop right away as I believe in a gradual weaning. While I am working, my babies currently get one bottle of pumped breast milk and one bottle of milk-based formula. I would love to switch them to drinking whole milk in the sippy cup with their meals while I am at work, but I am not sure how well that will go. Right now they only drink small amounts of water or very diluted juice from the cup, and my son often pushes the cup away. I don't know how they will like whole milk either (my older daughter didn't take to it right away). For these reasons, and since they are both on the small side anyway, I am considering continuing to have them drink at least one bottle of formula during the day while I am working, but I hate the cost of formula. I have two large sample cans of soy-based formula. The twins have never have had anything but milk-based formula before and mostly breastmilk. From what I understand, it is a bad idea to mix formula types in younger babies as it could cause problems with digestion. What about older babies who are already getting a lot of nutrients from food? Could I use these cans of soy-based formula now without causing any problems for my babies? Would it be better to just pass them on to a mother whose child needs to drink only soy-based formula? Also if they like the whole milk, but aren't ready for the sippy cup full time, should I put whole milk in a bottle? I am feeling like all of sudden - after next week when they turn one -so many things are "supposed" to change (no bottles and no formula) and I am just not sure what they are really ready to handle at this point.
Thanks for the responses. I became motivated to look up "soy formula" on WebMD and this is what I found.
"There has been some concern that the phytoestrogens in soy formulas may interfere with the immune system, the thyroid, or with how the reproduction system develops.
Soybeans are high in phytoestrogens, which are estrogen-like compounds found in plants or plant products. The AAP says that there is no "conclusive evidence" from any animal, adult, or infant study showing that that eating soy causes problems to "human development, reproduction or endocrine function."
The AAP urges further study on soy-based formulas."
Hmm...I think I would rather not mess with that just to "use up" free samples. Thanks for the tips on mixing formula and whole milk and gradually reduce formula. I definitely plan on doing that. Oh, to answer the person who questioned prolonged breastfeeding...With my first child, I reduced the amount of breastfeeding after age one from five times per day (when I am home with them) to three or two times and to eventually one time. My daughter was fully weaned at 18 months and it was easy because we were both completely ready. I think it is ridiculous for the experts to say on one hand that babies should get the majority of their nutrition from breastmilk or formula for the whole first year and then also recommend an immediate weaning from both upon the first birthday. Sounds a little traumatic.
Hi K., At this point I would not introduce the soy milk. It is not going to benefit them at all. What you can do is start mixing the formula and the whole milk in the bottle. You can try half and half and if the children can tolerate it and like it, start decreasing the amount of formula and increasing the milk. That's normally what I have seen done for transitioning formula fed babies to milk.
I've always transistioned my kids slowly...one step at a time. However, I never introduced a bottle in the first place, I went right to a sippy cup (I nursed until they were 14 months old when they decided it was over =< ). I tried both Soy-based and regular formula and both my kids didn't like either, they liked regular warmed-up whole milk. They did not like cold milk. My son who is now turning 7 still only likes warmed milk.
Mommy instincts are usually right.
I wish you and your little ones a smooth transition.
I don't know about using the soy formula. I don't think it would hurt. I think its more the other way...soy to reg. I always did the half milk half fourmula thing.(even starting out w/a quarter or third of milk to formula.) I was afraid my kids wouldn't like it, or take to the switch right away, so I never gave them the chance. My older daughter I was able to switch very quickly. My younger daughter, I had to go more slowly. I also used a sippy cup w/a nipple like spout in the beginning w/my youngest. We used the nuk cup.It was the best! A few friends of mine used it too. Once she started on that it was very easy to then transition her to all of our other sippy cups. Good luck. Hope this helped.
Hi K.,
I can't see a benefit to introducing soy formula, other than the fact that you happen to own some. With getting breastmilk and cows milk, I don't think another milk-type beverage is really needed. Formula was meant to meet a baby's nutritional needs for the first year in place of breast milk. I don't know of any benefit of continuing formula into the 2nd year - at this point, the food becomes the primary nutrition and parents start transitioning away from milk feedings, which fill the babies up when they should be getting their nutrients from food. I don't see any need for the soy formula myself.
Hi K.: Both my daughter drank differnt kinds of formula as babies. I was told by my doctor this was fine usless they had trouble digesting which they didn't. That was with different brands though. I have read soy formula supresses the immune system so you might want to just buy whatever brand of milkbased formula that's on sale. I think you would be better off doing half and half formula/milk in the bottle and the slowly change to all milk. Thats if you think your twins will have a problem with it. My youngest, I just started her on milk. I would substitute milk bottles during the day until all she was drinking was milk.
I am a firm believer in taking the bottle away at 1 year. It can cause all sorts of issues with children if you wait longer. I have seen 4 year olds with bottles because parents felt "they are not ready". As for soy milk, unless your child shows some kind of allergic reaction to milk or you prefer soy food and milk, then by all means introduce it. Either way, ask you doctor. None of us are doctors. I have never been a breast feeder. Just not for me, but I am questioning why you would continue to breast feed after they are a year old? I am trying not to judge anyone here, but isnt that holding on too long?
Hi K.
Hey don't get yourself nuts! You do what YOU think is right for your babies...never mind what you read and what your babies are "supposed to do".....PLEEEZ the books and "the experts" can make your head spin.
My daughter is 14 1/2 months and she still takes bottles.
I come from a family that keeps babies on bottles until 18 months or longer if needed.
I had her on soy since she way 4 weeks old Health issues kept me from breast feeding her, but when I did in the very beginning, it was the most wonderful experience I have ever had. I put her on Good Start since she was very colicy and the Good Start has predigested protiens so the colic got better right away. I have her on the Good Start Soy stage 2 now. I do not have to worry if she is getting the proper nutrients from her food and I do not have to suppliment vitamins. She gets 2 to 3 formula bottles, a bottle of whole milk and juice too. I was nervous about giving her milk, but I just did it gradually. I actually gave her some Yo-Baby yogurt first and once I saw that she did fine, I gave an ounce of whole milk and she loved it. No tummy upset either.
I found great advice about changing formulas from the formula companies themselves. I first used Similac from the hospital, then gave her their soy based for the colic, then I went to Good Start, both formula companies were extremely helpful. They know their products best and can help you the most. I agree that formula is way too expensive, but I only have one baby...you have 2. I know it can be tough sometimes and I think it is outrageous that basic food for a baby can be so expensive!
I do know that the people at Carnation told me that the protein from milk is a smaller protein than a soy protein. When our babies are infants, that is when they really get into trouble. When they are bigger (one year), they usually don't have issues with changes except if they have allergies to what you are giving them. Try it slowly, that's the best advice.
There is no reason to rush taking the bottle or formula away, and no reason you can't give them the soy. As long as neither of your twins have given you a reason to think they have stomach troubles or allergies, go ahead an give them the soy. That is, if it's not expired by now. They will give you their own hints when they are ready to let go of their bottles.
I have 4 children and they were all closer to 18 months before I took their bottle away. My 3 year old couldn't even handle milk until he was 15 months. So do what is best for your children and forget about this "scale" that everyone is basing things off.
