As a first time mother I am in need of some advice on this subject. At 10 weeks old the doctor recommended I stop using soy and start using milk based formula. I initally started because he seemed to take it better when I stopped breastfeeding at 3 weeks. Since I've begun weening it in he will sometimes throw up the entire bottle. He is also eating alot less than he has in the past almost finishing 6 oz every 3-4 hours to 4 oz every 4-5 hours, sometimes even three if it's before 4 hours. He is usually very excited to eat but his excitment has gone down when I put his bib on. He is still a smiling a lot other times but his eating habits concern me. I don't want him switching back and fourth but trying to do what's recommended. Any Advice??
.....I also have no problems with the soy except it is much harder for him to have a bowel movement his is however not wanting to eat.
Thanks to everyone for there responses! It's so interesting how many opinions are out there about a subject so many take for granted...many don't think about what they put in there bodies. But who wouldn't be passionate about there childs health. First I tried a different doctor and came to find out he wasn't lactose intolerant but allergic to the milk protein. This doc also discovered his thrush isn't gone like I thought and suscribed a better medication that cleared it up in no time. The last doc had me using the same stuff for a month, after requests to try something different! Things have gotten much better...excited to eat again like normal, and eating as much as ever....he's a little piggie!
One complaint I do have is that he spits up more than he did before I tried cow's milk, but the doctor said it can take three weeks to get out of his system..it's only been two so hopefully it gets better. Any other suggestions with the new info would be great, I'm also open to suggestions! I've been reading about Similac Alimentum...any thoughts?
Mix the formulas together for a while. Since he usually drinks 6oz, use this plan:
day 1: 1 scoop milk + 2 scoops soy
day 2: 2 scoops milk + 1 scoop soy
Day 3: 3 scoops milk + 0 scoops soy
You can do each step for several days if he doesn't seem to be adjusting well.
From what I've researched, it is fairly common for babies to have trouble digesting milk proteins rather than actually having a lactose intolerance at a young age. There are a number of formulas designed to help this issue, some pretty pricey. Supposedly Nestle Good start is easier to digest than some of the other main stream ones. Also, some babies just seem to do better on one brand more than the other. If this does not help, I think I would try one designed for lacotse intolerance (my son has this intolerance, but developed it as a toddler). Right now Soy is controversial because of the whole hormone thing. Because of this, I would try an alternative, but in the end if it's the only thing that works...
I would definitely keep in touch with your doctor as you try various things. Be sure to give at least a week for each trial though, unless there is obviously a huge problem.
You probably quit breastfeeding at 3 weeks for a good reason, so don't doubt that you did the right thing. Lasting 3 weeks is no piece of cake when it's not working out. I was much the same and carried a lot of guilt around for finally stopping. My child actually thrived much better on formula and I'm 100% glad I went that route at this point. Best of luck to you.
I don't understand why your doctor wants to switch from soy to milk based. My granddaughter was on soy for the first year since she would throw up the milk based. When her parents switched her over to milk after a year, they would do half and half and slowly add more whole milk. She is almost two and when the whole milk bothered her some we went to 2% with her, which she does fine on. If your son is throwing up the regular milk based formula, could he have an allergy to it?
Hi A.! I just wanted you to know that there are lots of alternatives to soy milk. It is very popular here in the States but what people don't know is that soy is a waste product. Also, it contributes to estrogen dominance which is a dangerous trend that is rampant in our culture. Soy milk is highly processed and not a natural food at all.
I would agree with the Carnation Good Start suggestion. There is a goat's milk formula available and that would be the best choice.
I am right with you about the angst of trying to nourish a baby. You are doing a good job!
Lactose intolerant? Maybe? Of course lactose interolrance is USUALLY accompinied by diarrhea. Talk it over with your pediatrician. I had the a similar problem with my son when he was a baby, :-(, sadly he is now 4, going on 5 Sept 30, and my pediactrician recommended Enfamil AR. What it is is a thicker formula, the AR stands for Added Rice. That helped a lot when he switched from Breast feeding, at 4 months, to the bottle. He was spitting up frequently and the thicker formula reduced that greatly. Hopefully these, as well as other suggestions, help!
What we did with our son is put him on a milk-based lactose free formula. He seemed to do really well with that. We used Enfamil Lacto-free which came in a purple canister. I also used the liquid formula that you mix with water, not the ready-made, because we had a nurse tell us that babies sometimes do better with that because there tends to be less air bubbles in the formula- which can sometimes form when you mix the powdered formula with water.
Maybe you could try that and see if it helps. Either way, good luck with everything:)
You have to be the advocate for your child... you know him better than anyone else. If you have any concerns, talk to his pediatrician. We kept both of our boys on soy formula until they were one... they just handled it better. According to our pediatrician, the soy has everything they need. Did your Dr. say why to switch back? If he is good on the soy, I would just keep him on that! Our boys handled it better than the milk-based and had no problems switching to whole milk at age 1... sometimes the milk-based is just too hard on their little tummies! Good luck!
Breast milk is always best for your child. Personally I think think if you are not for breast feeding I would go with soy formula. I have a back up of it in case of an emergency. Is there a specific reason why his Dr switched the formulas? If you feel he is happier and better with the soy, I would go with soy. If he is vomitting a lot more then the usually spit up while burping, he could be allergic. I would tell his pediatrician.
We switched my oldest from Soy to a special milk formula after our dr. suggested that we switch. Soy contains high levels of estrogens that the medical community has already found negative effects from.
Before any of you get upset with me....yes, soy is a great food full of natural anti-oxidants and is a great protein substitute for animals products. I like soy.
We have just been told that it isn't great as the ONLY food source for an extended period of time. Sure you will meet lots of kids that did soy only that were fine....but they are finding that estrogens are linked to different types of cancers. Which is why our son was pulled off of it.
Our son wasn't tolerant of the milk formulas and our dr recommended some others. I canm't remember what they were, but he actually gave us some samples and we ended up going with one that worked for our son.
Kudos to you for being willing to listen to your dr.
It's not too late to go back to nursing A. if you regret this decision... If you let him latch on, your milk should come back.
No formula will replace the good food found in breast milk, but if formula is the path you've chosen, try EARTH'S BEST infant formula's. They are organic, healthier and you have the choice of several bases (soy, dairy, etc.).
Truly, mixing up the formula he eats is not a big deal... do YOU like to eat the same food at every meal? Each one tastes different, so variety is a good thing.
congrats for trying to breastfeed! im sorry it didnt work out.
you were actually right on by following your instincts to give soy. it really sounds like your son might have an allergy to milk. :( this is very very common.
also, when on formula, dr william sears recommends some water every day to counteract the strong concentration of formula. so you might want to try that.
dr can tell you whatever he wants to, but in the end YOUR instincts are the ones that matter. you can even lie to him about the formula you use if that helps, or find a doc who will support your decisions. some hospitols and doctors are paid to support a certain fomula.... so you have to watch it.. trust your instincts! THAT IS THE KEY! FOLLOW YOUR INSTINCTS, they are never wrong!
by the way, milk is a huge issue anyway... i recently learned that animal proteins are NOT good for us like the milk and meat industry would have us believe, they actually turn to an acid in our bodies and that causes osteoperosis! so if you want to never give cows milk to your son, dont! :D follow your instincts! and by the way, almond milk is great for boys, soy for girls. (after you are done with formula)
but... if you go back to breastfeeding (check, sometimes the milk doesnt stop for MONTHS after stopping nursing...) its free, and perfectly created for your baby. if you dont, formula comes in all shapes and sizes (for lack of better terms) and there is one that will work for your son!
ps when you start solids (which isnt until 4-6 months old or later) you can add a little milled flax for constipation. this is good, and healthy, and it isnt a problem if you have to give it every day to ward off constipation. just a pinch is probably fine for a small baby... but anyway, flax is fiber, and fiber absorbs water in the stomach, then is passed into the intesting, keeping the stool soft and moist, which makes babys stool much easier to pass and less constipation. this can be done even in adults with constipation. just sprinkle flax on your food once or twice a day, and let the fiber work the magic it was made to work! its GREAT!
good luck!
Hello A.,
I highly highly recommend getting off the soy as quick as possible - Soy should only be used in very very small amounts and when it is used... it should first be properly fermented.
So contains phyto estrogens which they say - a baby on soy formula could be as bad as taking 5 birth control pills a day. Soy can also be really hard on the thyroid - women who are starting menopause are sometimes told to add soy to their diet, because of the phyo estrogen in it... but again small amounts.
I use to eat soy too and I wish I new about this earlier - soy producers make lots and lots of money - they don't like this news being too public. Good luck in all you do!Cheers, L. - Mom of 2 happy kiddos :)
PS: Its a very scary thing when you look at 25% of the people in the US have issues with fertility - I know soy isnt the only culprit, but I definetly think it has something to do with it. Soy is added as filler into so may foods now it's shocking!
Sorry to harp on I just get so mad at our FDA - they shoud be doing more to protect our and our childrens interest.
Maybe he has an allergy to milk? I would bring it up with the pediatrician. It may take some getting use to but if you have any concerns talk to the pediatrician and if you don't feel comfortable with what they suggest then continue with soy formula then silk. We had our daughter on silk for awhile and she loved it but it backed her system up so we switched back to 1%milk. He is getting the proper nutrients from the soy based formula so go with your instinct. Good luck.
When my daughter was on formula we found out she was lactose intolerant so we first tried soy but my daughter did not like it so we switched to a lactose free formula (parents choice from walmart I found was the cheapest). My daughter no longer was spitting up/throwing up the whole bottle of formula. I would talk to your ped or just try the lactose free formula, it is gentler on the stomach. Some times the babies stomach needs a year to fully develop before the introduction of lactose. My daughter is now 2 years old and has been on whole & 2% for a year now! She just needed that first year for her stomach to develop before breaking down those tough milk lactose products.
Best of luck! If you ped/doc does not agree with you do not back down if you think it is the right choice. My daughters doc put her through some x-rays and such because they thought something else was wrong. I thought it was just an intolerance to lactose but I did not voice my opinion loud enough (now I wish I had... plus it would have saved a few hundred dollars).
Best of luck!
My daughter was on soy formula (and so was I as a baby). She still drinks soy milk at age 6. She does ok on cow's milk, but doesn't like the taste unless it's chocolate cow's milk.
I would try the lactose free formula to see if that works. Soy has received a bad rep lately, but after having my daughter throw up breast milk and lactose free formula, it was a blessing that she finally got nutrition in her body.
Best of luck to you!!
