I just started watching 2 little boys today. They are 2 and 3 years old. Both of the boys are drinking silk (soy) milk with carnation breakfast drink powder in it. Dad brought 3 HALF gallons of milk with them in the paper cartons. They've only been here since noon, taken one nap and Dad called to check in. He asked me if they would need more milk tomorrow. I told him I expected a gallon and a half of milk to last longer than 1 weekend. He said they go through it fast and it wouldn't last that long.
So my question is about the soy... Is it okay for 2 boys to go through over a gallon a day of soy milk? I thought boys shouldn't have quite that much soy. How can they eat other food if they drink this much? So far they have snubbed the snacks I tried to feed them. They are new and nervous. So that isn't so surprising. But could 2 little boys REALLY go through that much soy milk and still have room for other food?
The second part to this question is about behavior.. So far it seems like these boys are both rather delayed. Their behaviors are more in line with 1 and 2 year olds instead of 2 and 3 year olds. It's not terrible and nothing they can't make up for in time I don't think. But could the over dependence on soy milk be causing a problem with their development?
Should I talk with them about their diet or just wait to see how they do once they have been in my care longer?
I'm just baffled.
Thanks. I don't know what I'll say if anything to these parents yet. I'll do some more research and not just on Dr. Mercola's site. He's really mostly a quack that sells everything under the sun that's unproven and basically snake oil. I'm not saying all he says is wrong completely. But we have to consider the source anytime someone sells SO MUCH STUFF with every email. I've been getting his emails for years but basically just stopped reading them after spending quite a bit of money for some of his recommendations. I just can't be quite that gullable anymore.
The parents have told me about the oldest having documented speech delays. But that's pretty obvious and he's not even begun with the potty training either. But I can't help but wonder if drinking 80% of their diet could have an effect on their development. I'll only have them on the weekends. So it could be awhile before I get to see their true selves shining through.
I am thinking these kids have a lot more problems in their lives than too much soy milk. (And yes, that is WAY too much milk of any kind)
Classic case of parents that really need some guidance. Be careful how you handle it, though.
I wish you well.
I didnt read any of the other answer but I do want to mention this. I was a vegatarain for years and did a lot of research on soy. everyone seems to think that it is extremely good for you. but the thing is a lot of soy products have more calories in them then the product they are trying to mimic. also soy contains a chemical that is similair to female hormones, and studies have shown men who eat a large amount of soy products begin to develope breast and a decressed sex drive (so I dont know what it would do to boys so young) soy formula is alot different than soy milk in the way it is made. and like I mentioned I was a vegitarian for years and even I couldn't drink soy milk plain...its just gross.
Not sure about the nutritional question, but re. the development question, please wait till they've had some time to adjust to their new situation. I was a WAHM/SAHM for my son's first 3 years - he had me, then a babysitter, so he had a lot of 1on1 attention. Then I started him at an in-home daycare. After 5 days over 2 weeks, the woman decided that my son was probably autistic because he "didn't look her in the face", repeated words, and was still in diapers. Turns out he didn't like her, the repeating is normal, and he was in diapers cause I hadn't started to potty train.
If the lag persists, than say something, but give it a while. This woman freaked me out unnecessarily and I still think about it 5 months later.
It's lovely for you to be concerned :)
You're right! The soy is not good for them and they can't get their needed nutrition if they are consuming that much. The lack of nutrition has everything to do with developmental delay. Sometimes it's extreme and sometimes it's mild.
If you think it will do any good, talk to Dad about it. You will probably need documented information if he is so adament about the soy especially if the doctor told him it was okay....
God bless you!
M.
Soy milk isn't causing their developmental issues. My son was on soy-based formula when not breastfed and soy milk after weaning because of a dairy sensitivity. He also eats soy hot dogs and tofu a lot. However, he is average to above average in all areas (not just my opinion, but also that of his teachers and pediatrician). I know that's just one person, but if soy caused developmental problems, cultures that eat a lot of soy or infants fed soy formula would have super high rates of developmental delays and that hasn't seemed to happen. But, by all means talk with their parents if you're concerned about their development. You and their parents both want what is best for the kids and if there is a problem, early detection and intervention is crucial. I know I just try to phrase things like questions to make parents less defensive and also to start off with saying how you know they love their kids and really work hard to do what is best for them. Good luck.
As this is the first day just wait and see , give them time to settle in and then see what they are like wit eating , drinking , behaviour etc. I agree though that it does seem like a lot of milk to go through in 1 day. I have 3 kids plus myself and my husband and we use around 2 1/2 gallons/week. If they do go through that much then yes it will surely have an effect on their appetites for food.
According to my pediatrician, kids this age should NOT be drinking more than 20-24 oz of milk (any kind) each day. That is 2 1/2 to 3 cups. Any more than that and their appetite will be depressed causing them to not get enough protein or vitamins that fruits and vegetables provide. In addition, too much milk is high in fat and can cause an iron deficiency. Here is a link to some good info:
http://www.aafp.org/afp/2006/1101/p1527.html
I would DEFINATELY do research and approach the parents which sounds like what you may be planning to do, don't wait long! The best I know is that soy IS NOT good for us! It sells well since there are so many people out there who check more with their taste buds than actual research..! If you can just get (educate) the parents to get more fresh (dark) greens and fresh fruits and vegetables in their diets, you would be doing them ALL a TREMENDOUS service and maybe save their lives eventually. There's always almond milk (homemade is best) or goats milk which is nutritionally superior for humans than other milk (raw is best so find a reputable local seller). Bless you for caring!!!
I agree that if they are drinking that much milk they may not have enough room for food but my daughter drinks a lot of milk (she prefers that to juice). I would wait a bit and get a better idea of the norm first.
Soy is SO bad. Especially for boys, but also for girls. From mercola.com:
Any soy that is unfermented -- soy milk, tofu, soybean oil, soy burgers, and all the other processed soy products out there all belong to this category -- is not a health food and in fact is not a food I would advise eating at all. This is true whether it is “organic” or not.
Unfermented soy products have been linked to everything from reproductive disorders and infertility to cancer and heart disease.
Go to mercola.com and search soy milk and soy. And then read what Dr. Mercola says. I would never give this to my children. It is bad news!
I only give my children water to drink during the day. They can have milk with breakfast, but not as a nutritional snack during the day (or all day long). We also don't do juice as it is just sugar-water. We eat the whole fruit instead. Anyway, that is what we do for our children. It is kind of hard to impose that on other people. But, I would probably recommend it to the parents after a relationship has been established.
My alternative doctor says that soy is really bad for you. He doesn't like cow's milk either. He does, however, recommend almond milk.
I would wait a bit longer. Get into a routine first. Work with them and get to know them.
Soy is not bad, but no one should drink most of their calories. Shaklee users like me drink lots of soy protein. They are the healthiest people I have ever seen.
Are the boys in an early intervention program? That would be my main concern.
Victoria
