What Is the Difference Between Milk & Soy Based Formula?
New parents have a vast variety of baby formulas from which to choose. There is widespread agreement that breast-feeding is the healthiest option for infants under one year of age, but there's considerable controversy in the pediatric community about risks associated with giving babies soy-based formulas after weaning. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends milk-based formula over soy-based.
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Benefits of Milk-Based Formulas
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Though breast-milk is the ideal for human infants, there are times when breastfeeding is not possible. Commercial infant formula manufacturers have researched extensively to produce products that are very similar to breast milk. Amino acids have been processed to resemble those in human breast milk, and iron is added to prevent iron deficiency. Additional nutrients like DHA and ARA are added for eyesight and brain development. For those infants with milk-related allergies, hydrolyzed, milk-based formulas, such as Alimentum, Nutrimigen and Good start which have milk proteins that have been broken down into smaller, more-digestible units is a good solution.
Problems of Milk-Based Formulas
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Infants with lactose intolerance do not thrive on milk-based formulas and can have symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea. Milk-based formulas also cause problems in infants with milk allergies and may experience rhinitis, rashes, digestive problems and ear infections.
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Benefits of Soy-Based Formulas
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In the past, soy-based formulas were routinely recommended for those children who appeared to have milk allergies. Sometimes, the switch to a soy-based product leads to an improvement in allergic symptoms. Reduction in gastrointestinal disturbance is most reported benefit in switching to soy-based products. Vegan parents who prefer their child not consume animal products can choose soy-based formulas and make sure their child is getting proper nutrition for healthy growth.
Problems with Soy-Based Forumulas
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Soy contains more aluminum naturally, so there are concerns about the amount of aluminum being consumed by infants. There are also studies suggesting that elements in soy are converted to isoflavones which may affect reproductive development later in life, according to the National Institute of Health. Pre-term infants should not be given soy-based formulas as studies show the products do not have sufficient nutritional quality for their needs. Many infants that are allergic to milk products may also have problems with soy-based formulas.
Choosing the Best Formula For Your Baby
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Your pediatrician is the best authority for recommendations on the right infant formula for your child. Pediatricians have a great deal of experience, anecdotal evidence from parents and all the current research on infant formulas at their disposal to help you find the right formula to give your child the best start in life. Always check with your physician before changing formulas, and let the doctor know of any changes in digestion or behavior in your infant.
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References
- Photo Credit baby"s bottle image by Georgios Alexandris from Fotolia.com
