What is Helium

Which is the best baby formula: Milk or soy?

Results so far:

Milk		80%	45 votes	Total: 56 votes
Soy		20%	11 votes	Total: 56 votes

Milk

1 of 1

by Lou Jones

Milk is best for baby, and mother's milk, at that. If nursing is impossible, go organic, and use glass bottles.

Soy is a wonderful food, but it's overprocessed and overconsumed. Look carefully at ingredient lists, and you'll see soy in lots of places. Because soy is an estrogen mimicker, it can throw a baby's balance out of whack. Hormone imbalances can contribute to early onset of puberty, subnormal testosterone levels, thyroid disorders, liver problems, mood disorders, and obesity. Estrogen is also a carcinogen.

Soy, unlike estrogen mimickers in plastics (again, use glass bottles, not plastic), does leave the system fairly quickly. (Estrogen mimickers in plastic can stay in the body for years.) But because your baby is growing and changing so fast, your baby may be far more vulnerable to even natural estrogens than adults are. Sufficient research doesn't exist to say for sure. It's certainly safer to give a baby soy than to let a baby starve or become malnourished, but for those who have a choice, why take the risk?

Non-organic milk usually has hormones in it. Cow gets bovine growth hormone, cow make more milk. Baby drinks hormone-laced formula, baby may have problems. Or maybe not. Some information seems to be missing.

Bovine growth hormone is supposedly inactive in humans, but when it is given to cows, a second hormone supposedly identical to the hormone in breast milk appears. Milk used in infant formula, at some point during the process is treated to denature the second hormone.

This leads to several questions:

Can we be sure Bovine Growth Hormone does not interact with the human body in any way?

Is the second formula really identical to the hormone found in mother's milk (a hormone baby needs and is not getting)? If so why do formula makers denature it?

Is the denaturing process %100 effective? If not, what are the side effects of anything that remains active?

Just to add more to those new-parent worries, some supposedly organic products aren't, so do some research before choosing a brand if you decide to go the organic milk route.

Don't take my word for any of it. Please do your own research, and use the latest independent scientific studies as often as possible. Even when articles cost, excerpts that contain valuable information are often free of charge.

When government, industry, or individuals don't tell you the whole story, it's probably for their benefit, to your detriment.

Learn more about this author, Lou Jones.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Soy

1 of 1

by Latesha Dewitt

Soy formula is best for infants who have a hard time digesting milk. During the first weeks of your infants welcoming into the world you may need to change formula a few times before finding the right one. This is because the digestive system of infants are still developing. The fat in milk can cause excessive gas and abdominal pain in infants which can cause colic.

It has been said soy milk can contribute to mood swings, hormonal imbalance and an early onset of puberty. It was also mentioned to be one of the leading causes of obesity but there isn't any research to support these claims.

Soy formula also has DHA and ARA which is also found is breast milk. These nutrients are fats said to contribute to the infants visual and mental development of the brain.

I chose soy formula for my daughter because she wasn't able to digest milk. This resulted in vomiting, excessive gas and a crying baby. We know an infants discomfort can also cause sleepless nights for both infant and parents. As a parent it is necessary to be aware of the vital signs.

Do your research

Research infant formulas because knowing what is best during an infants development stage is very important. The first 12 months are milestones. Always be aware of changes in your infant when trying new formulas. This will help the pediatrician guide you in the right direction.
There are milk based formulas, soy formulas and there are also formulas which contains neither soy or milk. There are other options as well such as lactose free milk formula which has less or no milk fat.

Also be knowledgeable of the brands and compare nutritional labels. Soy formula comes different brands such as Prosobee, Good Start and Bright Beginnings. Knowing these brands will also make you feel comfortable with making the right decision. We all want what's best for our baby and being able to compare brands always made me feel comfortable in the decision process.

Be knowledgeable.

Be aware of allergy signs and changes in your infant's behavior because this can allow you to make a wise decision in your infants health because you will be able to have answers to any questions you may have during doctor visits. Soy formula now has just as much calcium and iron as milk to prevent calcium and iron deficiencies. We have all heard breast is best but Soy is easily absorbed and digested by infants. Be sure to check with your pediatrician before switching to soy.

Learn more about this author, Latesha Dewitt.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Related Titles:

Difference of opinion? Debate now.

Feeding & Breastfeeding: Should every eligible parent participate in WIC?; Myth or fact: Breast-feeding prevents pregnancy; Is there a difference between nursery water and bottled spring water?; Should women be allowed to breastfeed in public areas?; Should babies be breastfed exclusively?; The appropriate time to quit baby formula: Six months or one year?

Helium, Inc.

200 Brickstone Square Andover, MA 01810 USA

Parenting & Pregnancy >

Feeding & Breastfeeding