If you are pregnant or have a newborn baby, you may be wondering about the health benefits of soy baby formula, compared to breast milk, cow's milk-based formula, or another formula type. Are there health benefits to soy formula over other formulas, and when should a baby drink soy formula?
Soy Formula May Decrease Rotavirus Infections According to ScienceDaily, research has shown that soy isoflavones found in soy baby formula may help decrease the likelihood of rotavirus infections. Rotavirus infections are the leading cause of diarrhea in infants. Also, just like cow's milk baby formula, soy baby formula can be an adequate source of nutrition during baby's first year. This may leave some parents wondering if they should use soy baby formula from the start or make the switch to soy baby formula for their infant's health. Are Soy Baby Formula Benefits Worth The Risks? While there are health benefits to soy baby formula, that does not mean it is the correct choice for every infant. Each baby has unique medical and nutritional needs. Therefore, any dietary habits should be discussed with the baby's pediatrician. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), soy-based infant formula should be used only in certain circumstances. Soy baby formula used to be a common alternative for infants who were lactose intolerant, but that is no longer the case. There now is lactose-free baby formula, as well as hypoallergenic baby formula. Many babies who have an allergic reaction to cow's milk will also have an allergic reaction with soy based formula. In fact, a significant percentage of infants who have severe gastrointestinal problems as a reaction to cow's milk baby formula will likely have similar reactions to soy baby formula. Which Babies Should Consume Soy Baby Formula? The benefits of soy baby formula are said to be recommended to infants who have strict vegans as parents. Infants who have true lactose intolerance (not to be confused with a cow's milk allergy) could also benefit from soy baby formula. Although, as mentioned above, there are other options. Another group of infants that is said to gain health benefits from soy baby formula are those with congenital galactosemia. Babies with this rare condition do not have the enzyme that would turn galactose into glucose. Galactose is found in breast milk, cow's milk, and other dairy products. If too much galactose builds up in the body, it can lead to serious health concerns, including death. Therefore, soy baby formula is recommended for infants who have congenital galactosemia. Discuss Soy Baby Formula With Your Pediatrician If you are concerned about your baby’s health or are curious about soy baby formula, ask your pediatrician. The research and information above is not intended as a replacement for discussing a child's health and nutritional needs with a qualified pediatrician. Before starting, switching, or stopping any type of baby formula, the child's pediatrician should always be consulted. -- Note that the author is not a licensed medical professional. The above is provided for informational purposes. Always consult a licensed medical professional for any advice pertaining to health matters. 
Whether it’s for natural care reasons or health care benefits, parents may request soy-based baby gifts for their newborn. Know an expectant parent who is into natural care, being eco-friendly, or who has an infant with lactose intolerance? This gift guide to soy-based baby products may help you decide what gift is best. As a mom who's into natural living and researching new things all the time, I've come across a variety of potentially useful products.
Soybean Fiber Baby Clothes For the eco-friendly mom or dad, there are companies who make baby clothing out of soybean protein fibers. These baby clothes are eco-friendly, all-natural, and can by quite stylish too. Baby clothing made from soybean fibers is very soft to the touch and makes great soy-based gifts for newborns. Baby Soap Enriched With Soy Proteins Many natural organic soaps are made with protein oils, such as soybean oil. Soy proteins are great for the skin. As long as Baby isn't allergic to soy, baby soap enriched with soy proteins would be an appreciated gift for newborns. If you feel like being creative, you may even want to look up a recipe and make homemade soap using soybean oil and other ingredients. Soy Baby Formula If the newborn you are buying a gift for is lactose intolerant or requires soy baby formula for another reason, this could be a good gift idea. The best newborn baby gifts are those that will actually get used. Baby formula does not exactly sound like a pretty or fancy gift, but it's definitely useful. Formula prices can be costly to some, so soy baby formula could be a well-appreciated gift for newborns who can use it. Soybean Crib Mattress Did you know that soybean fibers can be used to make a crib mattress? Mattress foam made from soy fibers is said to reduce sagging and increase durability in infant mattresses. This could add to the firm support required for newborns. Since soybeans are a renewable resource, this likely is a more earth-friendly purchase than other mattresses. As long as the baby's parent/s don't already have a mattress, a soybean crib mattress could make a great soy-based gift for newborns. Homemade Soybean Puree If you like to cook, you could try making homemade soybean puree baby food and freezing it to make a parent's job easier a few months down the line. Keep in mind that frozen baby food should not be kept frozen too long. Three months is a general time limit, but it could keep longer (or for less time) depending on the freezing and storage method. Another option is to gather some great baby food recipes involving soybeans and assemble them in a homemade recipe book made from recycled papers. **Author’s Note: Not all experts agree on the health benefits of soy, so it's best to know the family's stance on this before giving a soy-based newborn baby gift. The author is not a licensed medical professional. Always consult a licensed physician for health matters.  Image © iskir; Flickr.com Oftentimes when thinking of baby formula allergies, parents may think of cow's milk baby formula. Did you know that babies can also be allergic to soy baby formula? In fact, if an infant is allergic to cow's milk, there is often an increased risk of that baby having a soy allergy as well. Perhaps my experiences with infant soy allergies can help you learn how to tell if your baby has a soy allergy.
Soy Milk vs Cow’s Milk Information found on the KidsHealth.org website states that the American Academy of Pediatrics purports a significant amount of babies with cow's milk allergies to have soy milk allergies as well. That definitely falls in line with my experiences. The first time one of my babies experienced an allergy to cow's milk formula, soy baby formula was recommended. She turned out to be allergic to that as well. Each subsequent child with a cow's milk allergy also had an allergy to soy milk. Even though my situation dealt with soy baby formula, breastfeeding moms who consume soy should also be aware of soy allergies in babies. Feeding Habits and Detecting a Soy Allergy To tell if your baby has a soy allergy, pay attention to feeding habits. It is much the same as figuring out if your baby has a cow's milk allergy or is lactose intolerant. Some of the common symptoms of a soy allergy in infant can include asthma, dermatitis or eczema, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pains, nausea, and many more. Much like any other food allergy, the symptoms may depend on the individual or the severity of the allergy. In rare, but severe cases, anaphylaxis may occur. Remember that some of these symptoms can also indicate or other issues or may be unrelated to the baby's diet at all. The only way to tell for sure that your baby has a soy allergy is to have it diagnosed by a pediatrician. However, observing the baby's actions can help you gather information that will help tell the pediatrician if your baby has a soy allergy. Therefore, even though you cannot accurately diagnose the allergy yourself, it is still important that you keep track of baby's symptoms and habits. Colic vs Food Allergies In some cases, it will be easy for you to tell if your baby might have a soy allergy. The symptoms might be so obvious that you know something has to be wrong. Also keep in mind that a gassy baby or one that is frequently fussy doesn't always indicate colic, even though this is sometimes the first thought. It could actually be a food allergy, such as soy. Look for the symptoms to occur shortly after feedings. They don't always happen like that, but if symptoms are generally appearing after feedings, that can be a good indicator that you're dealing with a soy allergy. -- Note that the author is not a licensed medical professional. The above is provided for informational purposes. Always consult a licensed medical professional for any advice pertaining to health matters. Sources: KidsHealth Wholesome Baby Food Mayo Clinic Mayo Clinic More from Lyn: What NOT To Do When Bottle-Feeding An Infant Newborn Feeding Guide for New Moms 5 Secrets To Successfully Bottle-Feeding Your Infant 5 Natural Ways to Relieve Infant Constipation Easy Discipline Tricks For Babies: How To Discipline Your Baby |
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Lyn Lomasi is founder and owner of the Brand Shamans network. She is your brand healing, soul healing, marketing & content superhero to the rescue! Running a network of websites, tackling deadlines single-handedly, and coaching fellow writers, brands, & entrepreneurs to be thought leaders is her top priority.
While rescuing civilians from boring content and brands, this awesomely crazy family conquers the world, managing Intent-sive Nature while going on Upstream Parenting adventures & lessons, sometimes in an RV. They strive to cuddle with lions and giraffes. Until then, they settle for rescue dogs and cats. By supporting us, you support a single parent, healer, and minority small business that donates to and/or stands for several causes, including homeless pets, homeless people, trans youth, equality, helping starving artists, and more! A portion of all proceeds from our all-inclusive store, Intent-sive Nature goes toward worthy causes. For guidance in the world of freelance writing or for advice on her specialty topics, Ask Lyn. Archives
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