When my youngest son was born, he was very fussy. His doctor said he was colicky, then he also had acid reflux. After trying different formulas, we finally got him on soy (Similac Isomil), which really seemed to help. Now that he's 9 months old, and eating all sorts of table food (he eats whatever we eat for meals), I'm wondering if I can switch him back to regular formula. He's doing fine with soy, but I worry about the long term effects of too much soy (I read too much on the internet - scared me a little, though the doctor doesn't seem worried). It's also a cost factor - my first son drank regular formula that we could buy from Costco. Having to buy the more expensive formula is definitely more difficult. I will of course do what's best for my son first - so my instinct is to just keep him on soy until he turns 1 year. Any other moms go through something similar?
Hi D.-
My son had difficulty dealing with anything but breast milk, though I tried all the alternatives. I would say to keep with whatever works (the soy formula) until he is about a year and a half. Worked for me! S.
Hey D.!
I have a 9mo old as well and he was just diagnosed with EE (Esogheal disorder) and has to be on an Elemetal formula (EleCare) and it is almost $40 a can so I understand your pain and my son is not allowed to have any food at all, so we go thru TONS of formula where as my olderst son did great on Similac Advance. I know it is frustrating but he is only 3mo away from his 1st bday and he will be able to switch soon to Milk. After all the research I done the milk proteins in the milk could have been causing his acid reflux and you don't want to start that over again! Not to mention at this age it is hard to get them to keep switching. The soy will be fine! hang in there...3 months to go!
Hey D.,
I'd keep him on the soy and consider that you might not have too much success with milk when you introduce it if you didn't before with milk-based formulas. I mention this so that you don't freak out if this is the case. If your child doesn't immediately transition to whole milk, go with the cheese and yogurt. Kefir, a drinkable yogurt, is a good choice as well. Both of my kids were breastfed and neither one of them took to milk until they were 2 or 3, so if your boy doesn't, don't sweat it.
Take Care,
Al
You might want to call and ask your dr what he/she thinks. My youngest had to be on soy formula also and we switched him to regular milk a month before his 1 yr birthday. Our dr told us that he would be fine since he was so close to a year.
We had no problems with the transition from soy formula to regular milk so I hope it is the same for you!
My son went through that at infancy, then he was doing fine on whole milk after he turned a year old and then he started throwing up at least once a week, took him to the doctor and got him on allergy medicines, but we had him on soy milk for 9 months (TALK ABOUT EXPENSIVE!), so we decided since his allergies were more under control to try the whole milk again and he is doing fine :) So it might be an issue for your son, it might not be.
Hello D.,
I saw your post and even though I cannot provide much insight I am going throuhg the same thing as you are. I have been exclusively breastfeeding my baby who is 10 months old until she was 9 months. For the last month or so I started supplementing her with Soy formula. The reason I choose soy was not because the doctor recommened it but because I tried all of the other kinds of formula and daughter would not take any. I tried regular similac, enfamil, nestly good start. The regular similac seemed to give her a lot of gas when she was younger ( I supplemented for about a month when she was born). But just like you I have read a lot of things on the internet about soy formula that I started to get concerned. I want to switch her from soy to regular formula and see how she does, I know that we only have 2 months to go until she can have regular milk but I am concerned.
D.
Go with the doctors feelings. My doctor doesnt seem to have a problem with them drinking soy. My children were on soy formula. If you would like a cheaper brand buy the Parents Choice at Walmart. When I was using it, it was about $13 a can for the biggest can. My children are now 2 1/2 and 4, they still drink soy milk just not formula. I buy that at Costco for about $14 too it is way cheaper than at the other stores. They even have individual chocolate milks there now too.
My children are lactose intolerant and get the runs if they drink plain milk. I am the same way, I can only have milk on my cereal. However we can eat cheese and yogurt. The only concern with soy is enough milk fats for brain development. Make up for it in the cheese and yogurt department.
One more thing my niece and 2 nephews were all on soy formula and have never had problems. if it really concerns you buy the organic kind.
My children were never able to handle milk. When I nursed them I had to avoid dairy products. They also couldn't handle soy until the age of 10. I nursed three of mine for 2 years but my oldest quit nursing at nine months. I couldn't give him dairy or soy. I just made sure he had plenty of nutrients the natural way. His doc prescribed vitamins and I would blend broccoli and spinach and hide it in his food. Now I have a Jack La Lane Juice extractor and I juice carrots, apples, broccoli and cabbage. My 5 year old doesn't like it so I'll hide it or have him drink just a sip at a time. You can also blend berries into a smoothie or slushie.
be very careful about formulas - READ and understand what's on the label before you give it to your baby - a lot of formulas are very high in sugar and other non-nutritious fillers - make sure you get a very high quality all-natural formula - or try something like fortified almond milk - what you feed your baby now will affect his health for the rest of his life - good luck
