Which Infant Formula is Better?
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Soy Instead of Cow's Milk
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Most infant formulas on the market are made of cow's milk fortified with nutrients, so it resembles breast milk. However, if your baby is allergic or intolerant to the proteins in cow's milk, soy-based infant formulas are an option. Soy formulas are also an alternative for parents, such as vegetarians, who wish to exclude all animal proteins from a child's diet.
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Possible Concerns
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While 12 percent of the total infant formula sold in the United States is soy, there is some debate regarding its side effects. For example, infants who are allergic to cow's protein may also be allergic to soy protein. Secondly, soy-based formulas do not include lactose, which is considered the best carbohydrate source for infants. Thirdly, because infants receive 100 percent of their nutrition from formula, soy-fed infants receive a high dose of isoflavones, compounds in soy that act like estrogen hormones in the body and may interfere with a child's development.
Bottom Line
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The right kind of formula for one baby does not mean the right kind for all. Consult your pediatrician about your concerns and whether a hypoallergenic formula, which is less likely to cause allergic reactions than cow's milk or soy-based formulas, is best for your baby.
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- Photo Credit baby's bottle image by Georgios Alexandris from Fotolia.com
