Soy Formula and other questions about switching formula

Hi All,

My DD is 10 weeks old and has been on Similac Advance since she was born. All was well with that until about a week ago when she started spitting up profusely (almost like throwing up).

I got scared, called the pediatrician and was told to put her on Similac Isomil Soy (I didn't bring her in, I was told over the phone to switch). Didn't even think to question it, bought a couple of cases and DD has been on it for about 4 days now and seems to be better.

I was speaking to my mom's neighbor (who uses the same pediatrician) and she told me to google "soy formula" to read about all the studies/reports done on potenial health problems related to prolonged use of soy formula (everything from digestive track, bowel issues, reproductive issues, early puberty, slow brain development). I checked out the American Academy of Pediatrics sight and they say that soy formula is perfectly safe, however it should only be used when there is a proven milk allergy and not to be used to alleviate symptoms of colic or other stomach issues.

Now, DD hasn't been tested for a milk allergy (she wasn't even seen by the doctor for this) and I'm beginning to wonder if putting her on the soy formula was extreme. Similac makes sensitive versions of milk-based formulas and I'm wondering if I should try that?

Any help/advice would be very much appreciated!

Thanks everyone!
Karen

Re: Soy Formula and other questions about switching formula

Rylan was started on Advance and put on Soy before we left the hospital because of spitting up and gas. The Soy was horrible for him...he was soooo gassy on it...like nothing i've ever heard before...especially coming from a newborn. We went to Similac Sensitive which was amazing.

Re: Soy Formula and other questions about switching formula

Did the soy formula make a difference? We switched DS because he was spitting up all the time. The soy didn't make a difference. They tested him for a milk allergy and he didn't have one. We switched back to the regualr similace advance. I decided if he was going to spit up anyway the milk based was better.

Our ped switched him over the phone as well.

Re: Soy Formula and other questions about switching formula

DD had some issues with Similac Advance. We put her on sensitive and she has been great every since.

Re: Soy Formula and other questions about switching formula

both my kids were on soy (DS started on Nutramigen for his colic, but got BETTER when we switched to soy).

Neither of my kids have been majorly ill and they have not had any issues.

Re: Soy Formula and other questions about switching formula

I switched DS to soy after a phone call in to his pediatrician. She didn't ask to have him come in or test him and he's doing great.

he was spitting up a ton, had loose, FOUL poops and an eczema type rash on his face.

My ped. didn't seem concerned at all about switching to soy.

My best friend's daughter also had a milk allergy and switched to soy and at 4 years old, she is smart as a whip!

Re: Soy Formula and other questions about switching formula

DD was switched to soy formula when she was about 3 months old...she has never really been ill other than a sniffle here and there. However, I am more of a laid back person, and I find that if you google anything on the internet, you will always find good/bad things about anything. If you are comfortable with your DC being on the new formula, and it's helping DC to feel better and eat better...that you have to do what you feel is right

Re: Soy Formula and other questions about switching formula

I was on soy formula when I was a baby and I am just fine

And my ped switched us to Gentlease over the phone

Re: Soy Formula and other questions about switching formula

Thanks for your help and advice!!

I agree with you - I'm sure that soy formulas are safe (they have been around for over 40 years!), but I was more concerned with the fact that she was simply switched over the phone without any other kind of further testing. I doubt highly that my DD is allergic to milk-based products (she has no other symptoms), so why switch to soy if I don't have to?

I think I will buy a couple of bottles of the Similac Sensitive and try that for a few days and see how she does. I'm taking DD to the pediatrician for her 12-week appointment on the 22nd, and I'll discuss this with the doctor again.

Yes, she didn't spit up as much with the Soy formula, but I find it lighter and DD seemed hungrier between feedings. She was sleeping through the night for a couple of weeks and now she's up twice during the night wanting food (or could be a growth spurt I guess).

I heard Gentlease was good as is Goodstart and I'll see how my pediatrician wants to proceed.

Thanks again for all of your help!!

Re: Soy Formula and other questions about switching formula

I have a sealed bottled of Sim Sensitive if you want it. I am in Holbrook, but work in Mineola if that is closer

Re: Soy Formula and other questions about switching formula

First I know TONS of kids who were on soy exclusively (myself included) and had no long term effects.

When DS had gas issues I called his ped and asked about Soy, she suggested Good Start becuase she said his symptoms didnt seem like it was lactose related. But I will say DS spits up CONSTANTLY. But he is a happy spitter so we are just waiting for him to grow out of it and it has gotten better since he turned 6 months.

ETA: DS was switched over hte phone as well. I didnt want to do Soy if I didnt have to because although I am fine, me and both my brothers all have lactose sensitivity, and 2 of the 3 of us were on Soy from birth. So I didnt want to exclude milk based products from DS if he didnt have an issue with them. I know its a stretch but it was my reasoning!

I would try Good Start or Similac Sensitive if you dont want to do the soy!

Message edited 7/8/2008 11:17:52 AM.

Re: Soy Formula and other questions about switching formula

Re: Soy Formula and other questions about switching formula

I was just talking about this with a friend. Her dd is on Soy formula and she read that it can effect their fertility in the future if on soy for long periods b/c of the effects on hormone levels. I havent did research on, this is just what she told me. .. So her peds is having her switch off soy, her dd was on for about 5m.

Re: Soy Formula and other questions about switching formula

Its interesting how as moms we are getting different advice from our peds. DD was having reflux/digestive issues early. She was on Neosure, then we went to Alimentum, then to similac senitive. During the time my friend suggested Soy (thats what her son was on) I mentioned it to our Ped and she said it was a last resort. That it would not give her all the protein, vitamins and minerals that she needed but something is better than nothing if we had no other option.

So I did my research and found that Soy based formulas are not designed for or recommended for preterm infants without underlying issues. For FT infants it tends not to be a concern as much.