Safety of Soy Milk in Infants

Breastfeeding is usually considered the best option for feeding a baby. For many reasons, including mom's work schedule, many families opt to bottle-feed instead. If a child is allergic to milk-based formula, a soy-based one might be recommended by a pediatrician or family doctor.

Types of Infant Nutrition

Having a new baby raises many questions, including making the decision on the best way to feed him. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and most other well-known organizations, are committed to the idea of breastfeeding as the best possible scenario. If breastfeeding is not an option or you choose to supplement your breast milk, there are several other possibilities. For the first year of life, infants get most of their nutrition from breast milk or formula. The formula comes in liquid or powder form. Most babies drink a formula based on cow's milk. Other babies use a soy-based formula. Others use an amino acid-based formula that contains no cow's milk or soy.

Soy Milk

Soy milk that can be bought in the refrigerated section of a store is not the same as soy formula located in the infants' aisle. Soy formula is commonly called soy milk, and is made when soy beans are fermented and the soy protein is extracted to make it edible. According to the AAP website, "The isolated soy protein-based formulas currently on the market are all free of cow milk-protein and lactose. The AAP maintains that soy formula has all the nutrients and calories as other formulas. As for the safety of it, the group has concluded that infants who need the product show normal growth and development patterns, just like babies fed other formulas. The soy-fed babies also demonstrate the same energy levels as other infants.

Soy Milk Recommendations

Even though the AAP assures the safety of soy formula, it still recommends formulas based on cow's milk, if mom is not breastfeeding. It recommends soy-based formula if a child has a true milk allergy (demonstrated by hives, difficulty breathing or swelling of the face and hands). Soy formula may also be recommended for lactose-intolerant infants, and babies whose parents insist on a strict vegetarian or vegan diet.

Concerns About Soy

The reason there is some debate about the safety of soy formula is the fact that it contains phytoestrogens, a group of compounds also known as isoflavones. Isoflavones are said to disrupt the menstrual cycle of adult women. There are studies that show isoflavones cause early breast development in hamsters, although not in humans. The study also mentioned some changes in the thyroid of a small number of infants. According to an article, "Is Soy Healthy?," the soy bean modification process takes place in aluminum tanks; therefore, soy formula has "over 1000% more aluminum than conventional milk-based formula."

Alternative

Some babies are allergic to soy as well. If soy is not an option for your family, there are also hypoallergenic, amino acid-based formulas that do not contain milk or soy products. Always discuss your questions and concerns with your pediatrician.