Sympathy Pain

So we switched over to formula. We were using Enfamil Lipil,a cow milk based formula. Tony seemed to do well on this, especially when we got the amount correct. He was more gassy and tended to be fussy longer because of it. Sarah then tried the Kirklands knock off of Lipil, and the fussiness got worse. Now, Tony is not a crazy baby, but fussy is still fussy, and therefore unhappy.

So, Sarah switched him over to a soy based formula…you get a lot of samples in the hospital. Similac Isomil Advance Soy formula. I had no idea there were so many “type” of formula. He does seem to be a happier baby. His doctor said she had done the right thing. I found an article below stating the reason one might use the Soy based. Sarah is lactose intolerant, and it seems this can be hereditary…who knew.

The American Academy of Pediatrics, in their policy statement on Soy Protein-based Formulas: Recommendations for Use in Infant Feeding, states that ‘in term infants whose nutritional needs are not being met from maternal breast milk or cow milk-based formulas, isolated soy protein-based formulas are safe and effective alternatives to provide appropriate nutrition for normal growth and development.’

Unfortunately, there is very little research that describe the risks or benefits to babies drinking soy formula, even though soy based baby formula has been in use for over 40 years.
The AAP also states that there is also some concern that babies ‘absorb calcium and some other minerals less efficiently from soy formulas than from milk-based formulas.’ Soy formulas have more calcium than milk based formula to help offset this though.

Because of these concerns, soy based baby formula should only be used when indicated, including:

babies who have galactosemia or hereditary lactase deficiency

parents who wish to raise their term baby as a vegetarian

infants with true lactose intolerance (a lactose free formula might be a better alternative in this case though)

infants who have an IgE mediated allergy to cow milk proteins (although these babies may need a hypoallergenic formula if they are also allergic to soy formula)

So basically, as the AAP states, ‘healthy full-term infants should be given soy formula only when medically necessary,’ but soy formula is still ’safe and effective’ when needed.