Soy dangerous?????

My babies have been on soy for months now because it was the only thing that didn't upset their tummies. Now all of a sudden I keep reading that it can be very dangerous because of hormone levels in it. This is so alarming to me and it makes me want to throw up at the thought of having given my babies something dangerous. I had trouble enough dealing with the decision not to breastfeed after 4 months. I'm furious with their pedi for not even mentioning the possibility when we were going thru all the formula changes. uuuggghhhhh I'm thinking that since they're 9 1/2 months now, 2 switch to normal formula and get them ready for milk. Anyone else hear of this?

 

There are phyto-estrogens in soy...(plant estrogens) It is similar but not identical to human estrogen. I have not read any specific studies on this, but I would say it is more important to feed your babies something that they will thrive from... if they have been doing fine I wouldn't worry. but I would tlakto your pedi and see what s/he thinks!

 

Here's my 2 cents.

I don't think that Soy formula (or soy in general) is dangerous, my son David drank soy formula for 12 months and he has not had any ill effects. Soy is also the main component of Texturized Vegetable Protein and tofu, I think that the amount of vegetarian and Asian people alone who eat these things without any problems is reassuring.

Try not to worry yourself, I seriously don't think soy is dangerous.

 

I have been giving soy formula to my girls from day one and neither one has had any issues, they are very healthy. I am also a vegetarian and have been one for 11 years. I live off of soy and I've never had any issues.

 

I agree with Trish and Jenny. My experience with Soy products is that they are no different than being a vegetarian.

 

Hi, I have also heard of this, but I try not to worry. My babies were not thriving in the NICU until they were put on soy formula. I am actually in the process of switching them to milk formula right now in preparation for the switch to whole milk. It is going fine so far. My ped had suggested try it at 6 months, but I delayed it a little bit longer.

Mona

 

Can you find organic soy formula? That might put your mind at ease.

 

I have read some recent studies linking soy formula to early onset puberty due to the estrogen like hormones in it. Early puberty would be very unfortunate, but if soy formula is the only thing your babies can drink, that is more important...know what I mean? I would just talk to your Ped and try not to worry too much. There are probably a million things we do with ourselves and our kids everyday, that in 5 years they will tell us cause you to grow an extra horn or something. It is out of your control to a large extent. If it is any consolation, I recently switched my twins from the hypoallergenic formula they were on, to just regular milk based formula and they were fine. My Ped to me a lot of the sensetivites they have early on to formula, they outgrow by 6 or 7 months, and that has been true for mine. You might just try it out to see.