When to Switch to Soy? **UPDATE**

Dr. Brown bottles are awesome! They have a special filtration thingy in there that keeps air bubbles from forming in the nipple area. My first son had terrible gas and we used Gripe Water and massage to help him. With my second son I started out with Dr.Brown bottles right away so I couldn't really tell you whether it helped his gas in anyway because we'd never used anything else. But it was like night and day for my niece when they switched to the new bottles. If you can get it done with switching a bottle it makes it a little simpler than searching for the right formula, giving a million doses of gas drops, etc. Worth a try. *shrug*

I have not researched this much, but it surprised me to hear that one of the pp said soy formula was potentially dangerous. Here is another reference http://www.drgreene.com/21_536.html I have not investigated it like the pp, but I would definitely see what the latest data are before making a decision not to use soy.

More importantly as other posters have said, you might want to have your baby tested for allergies before switching him to soy as this is often the case. It might help you identify the exact problem faster and make everyone happier sooner.

I have three and after the first one the regular formla broke him out in baby acne so I put him on soy. My second one is lactose intolerant. I have a five day old who I am breast feeding but I have given him soy formula twice it just seems easier on thier digestion give it a try you can always change it. Walmart brand soy formula with Iron is what I use and they have all done really well on it. I would rather change the formula then keep giving a baby gas drops all the time.

2 of my 3 kiddos were milk based as well as soy based formula sensitive. We had to use Nutramigen ( made by Enfamil) with both of them I am due in July with #4 and we will put this baby right on the Nutramigen. I just wanted to throw it out there that some babies can react worse to soy formula than to milk based ones. That's how my kids were. Just wanted to give you the name of the formula we used. Hope it helps.

I agree that you should talk to your pediatrician about it but I use soy formula for my little guy and he hardly ever fuss' from gas. He's primarily breastfed but he does get the occasional bottle of formula and I dont notice an increase in gas from it. Its worth a try but I wouldnt be totally convinced that she's fussy from only gas. It could be something else if changing formulas doesnt help. Ask the doc and GOOD LUCK!

It's worth talking to your doctor about. I had to use special formula with my 3 older children, and fortunately haven't had any issues with the small amount of supplementation Jaidelyn is getting. We went through about 7 different kinds with my oldest and the one that worked the best was being discontinued and so we went store to store to buy all they had!
Good luck and so sorry, cuz soy formula is so smelly!

Hi J.,

so sorry to hear about your fussy little one. I know it's miserable and frustrating. From everything I've read, and I read a ton, there is nothing good about soy for anyone unless the soy is fermented. I don't want to go into any long explanation here on this but here's just one link to a decent article about the dangers of soy formula. I would not switch to soy at all.

http://www.mercola.com/2001/jun/13/soy_formula.htm

I would suggest reading The Happiest Baby on the Block by Harvey Karp for some good advice. It's a nice and short book for tired parents. An herbalist I know suggested two drops of lavendar oil ad chamomile oil massaged into the bottom of their feet to help soothe them. I haven't personally tried this but I would think it's worth a shot over soy formula.

If you're interested I can give you more information on the dangers of soy.

Good Luck!
T.

My baby had the same issues. His doctor told us that babies have more problems with soy formulas than milk based. We tried several different formulas (for supplemental feedings while I'm at school), finally we found enfamil AR and that worked. Ask your pediatrician. Maybe they have some ideas.
T.

Have you tried using "GRIPE WATER"? Or are you using the Milacon Drops? With my son the gas drops did not work and my husbands aunt told us to get GRIPE WATER. It really worked. You can find it at most health food stores.

We also switched our son over to soy formula and that also helped, but his pediatrician ok'd the switch.

my daughter seemed to have the same problem...i breastfeed but suppliment when i need to. have you tried lactose-free? of course you could switch to soy but soy doesn't have dha and the kiddos really stink when they pass gas. if it's not a dairy allergy (keeping my fingers crossed), you should consider this option. good luck!

Soy formula is for babies with gas, fussiness, and for babies who spit up. I use it for my 5 month old. He screamed none stop for a month and a half and the soy milk really did the trick. I read another comment saying it is potentially dangerous, this is not true. Like anything else every one has their own opinion but I have been drinking soy milk myself for many years and I have done my research soy milk is very healthy have no fear. If your baby is fussy definitely try soy. Another suggestion is to try Gripe Water. It is for upset stomach, gas, teething and COLIC for babies. I use it and it works really great. It is all natural and you can get it in the health food section at places like Fred Meyers. It costs about $10 (for the organic one) but it is well worth it for your baby and you to be happy!! Let me know how it works out. Good luck to you!!

hi J. i had 2 kids a 5 and 2 yr olds but when they were little i put then on soy at birth my girl had bad gas for a short time but i swithed from normal bottles to plytex with removabel liners and i got alot more air out of the bottle and it got better my son i started that way and he was a good baby hope this helps i work for a coumpany that has safer and more afordibel produces they have a great kids and adult shampoo and body wash and tuns more call me if you want to know more thanks S. my # is 1-###-###-####

I know exactly what you're going though. I went through the same thing. I don't know if you've tried any other formulas the only one that worked with mine was the Wal-Mart brand the minute we switched to that she was fine and happy. Literaly we tried every formula the expensive ones etc and she did the same thing screamed and had gas or constipation and was so fussy. So, don't give up there is probably one formula out there that will work, just don't run out of it.

Hi J.,

have you considered using breastmilk from a milk bank?? Just a thought.

I started with soy after I had breastfeed a couple months just to be safe. I have a twin and all her kids were alergic to milk when they were small children and seemed to grow out of it? Anyways...She was also fussy and it seemed to help.

Hello,

Try a massage therapist for her gas problems. My mother is a massage therapist and she showed me how to rub my son's belly when he's constipated and it works every time.

I'm sorry your newborn is so fussy.

HOney,
YOur child could be having reaction to the soy as well, Also, I might want to inform you about Autism, and the Mercury in infant vaccinations. I live in Oregon,, WE see a Naturpath, and have learned it is the way. I am also a RN, There are other formulas that might work, but they are more expensive. Check into non-soy, and non-milk, when a child is crying so much it means pain.
I know that it is alot of work since you are in school, but do your research on Autism, as well as other Developmental disorders. It may just be an allergy, but don't let it go without investigating everything, your child depends on you.

We had to do the same thing with my baby, he now 13 months. Not only did we switch to the ready to feed Similac Soy but we also changed bottles. We started off with the gerber bottles because they were the only nipples that he couple use. Then when the gas was becoming a problem we turned to the AVENT bottles and the gas is gone. We did soy for several months then he was getting a rash after each feeding, so we had to go to the Lactose free ready to feed formula. That solved all the problems. Now we are on cows milk and everything is good! So try soy or the lactose free and new bottles.

My granddaughter had similar symptoms. Her pediatrician skin tested her for allergies. She was allergic to milk, soy, peanuts and eggs. My daughter found a formula that did not contain any dairy products. Soy, of course, wasn't an option.

I can't remember the name of the formula she used. I do remember that it is much more expensive than regular or soy formula and can be found at Fred Meyer and probably any large grocery store.

My granddaughter is now 6 and recently saw an allergist. She had skin tests again and of the original 4 she is now only allergic to peanuts and soy.

I am also allergic to peanuts as well as soy. And I'm lactose intolerant. Could be your baby is just lactose intolerant without having an actual allergy. There is no genetic connection between my granddaughter and me. I've never heard mention of soy allergies but here are 2 people who have it.

I have an immediate reaction when I eat something containing soy. It's only hives and an upset stomach but the body's reaction can increase if it's frequently getting the allergic food.

The pediatrician said it was important to do the skin tests, even tho they aren't always accurate, because if the baby is allergic, especially to peanuts, they could have serious consequences if they continued to eat them.

The school nurse said that there are a large number of students with peanut allergies. She said that the number of students with allergies is increasing.

You aren't concerned about peanuts at this time. But she may be allergic to milk or she may just be lactose intolerant. I'd try a non-dairy formula before I tried soy. Or have her tested.
Allergies are not something to mess with.

My son,Austin,is three months old.He has fussed and cried since the day he was born.I am very tired and nobody will babysit my baby.That being said,I will never put him on soy formula.I have done extensive research where I have found that soy messes with their delicate hormones causing many problems later on.Austin is eating Enfamil Nutramigen hypoallergenic formula now and all though he still spits up (actually projectile vomiting at least twice daily)alot, he isnt as fussy as he used to be.He still cries alot but is getting better every day.Maybe someday I'll get a break for a few hours.

Hi... My son was just like this when he was a baby. We switched to soy right away, and all the gas pains and constipation went away. He stayed on the soy formula until he was a year old and eating solid foods. We never have a problem with dairy now, and he is 5 1/2 years old! Good luck!