soy for boy????

[devoted]

If my baby boy is lactose intolerant is it okay to give him Isomil soy formula? Is there anyway that he could tolerate my breastmilk? I have been nursing for 11 weeks but sup. with soy formula. Does anyone REALLY know the effects of soy milk?

[rachelandtyke]

Why do you think he is lactose intolerant? Perhaps you are thinking of a cow's milk protein sensitivity instead? Breastmilk has lots of lactose in it. But if baby is sensitive to dairy, then you can cut it out of your diet and baby should still be able to breastfeed fine. I did that with both of my nurslings. Many babies that are sensitive to dairy are also sensitive to soy.

There is a rare condition called galactosemia in which a person can not process any lactose, it is one of the things they test for in the genetic screening. In those cases, the baby can not have breastmilk either, but you would already have the medical diagnosis for it.

[StillSingingMom]

Babies are very rarely lactose intolerant. As rachelandtyke said, breastmilk is chock full of lactose. Sometimes babies are sensitive to milk proteins, and if that's the case, you will need to eliminate all or most dairy products from your diet.

Many babies who react to milk proteins eventually will show sensitivities to other things as well, and soy is one of the things that many babies react to. Why do you need to supplement with formula? Are you having a supply problem?

One of my nephews had a suspected milk protein sensitivity. On their doctor's advice, they switched him to soy formula. The poor little guy eventually ended up reacting to every single formula they used. Now, with the second baby, they are nursing exclusively and things are much easier on all of them.

I suspect that in my nephew's case, the original problem was actually over-active letdown. All of the "symptoms" that were used to diagnose allergies in his case were very consistent with milk oversupply. Many pediatricians lack a deep knowledge about nursing and related issues, and it is easy to get confused.

Come back and post some more if there are issues we can help with. Soy formula is not really different, nutritionally speaking, from milk-based formula. I don't think it will do anything horrible to your baby.

[madelsmama]

I agree that this situation requires further exploration. It's very unlikely that you're dealing with an actual lactose intolerance, lest you baby would be very malnourished.

I also would probably try to avoid a soy formula for either gender, for it's estrogen-like properties. No, no one really know it's effects.

[devoted]

Well, the reason I am supplementing is because my pediatrician told me to from the very first appointment. Also I decided I would quit nursing one day last week, out of frustration, and very quickly decided to start back. My supply diminished, but I am building it back up. Soon I will not have to supplement. I agree that pediatricians do not know much about BF bc mine told me that there was no lactose in BM. ?! I then read that there is. The reason I am thinking that he is lactose intolerant is because my husband and I are. My daughter is too and has drank soy milk from 2 months of age until present 3yr.
.
My son was diagnosed with reflux and put on zantac at 3 weeks old. He had horrible bouts with it to the point that his stool smelled like rotten eggs. (after nothing but BM) So that began my suspition that he may not be able to tolerate my milk. Do your EBF babies spit up or have reflux issues?? I believe he is growing out of the reflux because it seems to be improving a bit.Also the couple of days that I was not BFing, but giving isomil he seemed happier. I would much rather BF but not if it will give him a belly ache. IF I need to cut out dairy...what in the world is there left to eat. And how do I get calcium?
***sorry I'm so full of questions, I am just so pleased to have other bfing mommies to communicate and empathize with

[chaosKOSMOS]

I agree w/everyone else who suggests you eliminate dairy from your diet. You'll know within about a week whether or not it is making any difference.

With my 2nd DS, I made the mistake of putting him on Soy formula, starting around 4 months. At around 2 months, I was supplimenting him "here and there" w/regular formula and thought maybe he was having reactions to it. At 4 months, when I'd decided I'd had enough of being the "milk maid", I put him on Soy formula.

He's very healthy and smart, but I can see differences between him and my other children. His teeth were actually stained because of the soy formula. You know how too much flouride can stain your teeth? Same with soy.

He's had health problems in the past, but I'm not sure it is because of the soy or not. He is the only child of mine that has had his unique health problems. He had ITP at the age of 2. I can't say whether or not it was a result of him being fed soy formula, BUT he's the only one out of my 4 who's ever had it.

I say, don't take the chance if you don't have to. Try eliminating dairy from your diet first, at least for a couple of weeks, and see how that works first. It might not even be dairy, it could be something totally else in your diet, then again, it could be related to something else other than diet.

Good luck!

Grace

[Amy_G_]

http://www.kellymom.com/babyconcerns/lactose-intolerance.html

It is highly unlikely that your baby is lactose intolerant.
It is also not very common for a 2 year old to be lactose intolerant,
but is quite common for an adult to be lactose intolerant because as we age, we lose the ability to digest large amounts of lactose.

http://www.kellymom.com/babyconcerns/food-sensitivity.html
Since food allergies are increasing in number, it is something to consider, however Most babies are not really sensitive to what mom eats.
However, cow's milk protein can piggyback onto the breastmilk protein and cause issues. A large number of babies who show sensitivity to cow's milk protein, also show sensitivity to soy proteins.

reflux in breastfed babies
http://www.kellymom.com/babyconcerns/reflux.html

if you do a trial of dairy free, http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/vitamins/calcium.html
there are a lot of other foods that contain calcium, taking a calcium pill daily is an easy answer, as is drinking calcium fortified orange juice.

If you were giving soy formula from the beginning of breastfeeding, it's more likely that the issues he had arose from switching between two food sources, breastmilk and formula, than from an issue with your breastmilk alone. I would not make a lot of changes until after you have him on breastmilk only and then try one thing at a time to see what works and what doesn't. Otherwise you don't know the cause and effect accurately.

poop that smells like rotten eggs can actually be normal--but that is something they don't tell ya. Breastfed poo is usually described as sweet smelling, but that isn't always the case.

[devoted]

Well the reflux started in the hospital after my milk came in (after 2 days). It began before I started sup with formula. But looking back...I think maybe the problem was that I had a large supply of milk that dropped quickly and sprayed out. I think maybe he was geting too full. The reason I began to sup w/ form is because the ped told me his fussiness maybe that he was just still hungry after I nursed him. I think I was just perpetuating the tummy problem by feeding him more. The rotten poop has stopped. I guess I have assumed that because my dd's ped told me that she would not tolerate lactose bc my dh and I don't, that my ds would not tolerate it either. All in all I think these problems derive from the ped's lack of knowlege concerning bfing..and mine as well. Since yesterday I have not had any milk and he seems to be better today.( perhaps it is just coincidence (sp?))
My dd complains of a tummy ache after her soy silk in the AM. THis is all making sense. Thanks to experienced ladies...not my ped...I think maybe I can see what is going on.
did all of that make sense?

[madelsmama]

It is highly unlikely that your baby is lactose intolerant.
It is also not very common for a 2 year old to be lactose intolerant,
but is quite common for an adult to be lactose intolerant because as we age, we lose the ability to digest large amounts of lactose.


This bears repeating. Babies can be sensitive or allergic to dairy or other animal milks, but most people that are actually "lactose intolerant" get that way as they grow older.

[StillSingingMom]

Well the reflux started in the hospital after my milk came in (after 2 days). It began before I started sup with formula. But looking back...I think maybe the problem was that I had a large supply of milk that dropped quickly and sprayed out. I think maybe he was geting too full. The reason I began to sup w/ form is because the ped told me his fussiness maybe that he was just still hungry after I nursed him.

See, that's not very likely, either.

I think I was just perpetuating the tummy problem by feeding him more. The rotten poop has stopped.

Yes, it sounds like being overfull was the problem in the first place.

I guess I have assumed that because my dd's ped told me that she would not tolerate lactose bc my dh and I don't, that my ds would not tolerate it either.

My sister's pedi told her the same thing. And it's so wrong I just choke. Babies are almost NEVER lactose intolerant. How would they have survived for all those generations before formula?

All in all I think these problems derive from the ped's lack of knowlege concerning bfing..and mine as well. Since yesterday I have not had any milk and he seems to be better today.( perhaps it is just coincidence (sp?))
My dd complains of a tummy ache after her soy silk in the AM. THis is all making sense. Thanks to experienced ladies...not my ped...I think maybe I can see what is going on.
did all of that make sense?

Yup. So probably you don't need any formula at all and your baby may have a bit of bottle preference. At this stage, it's pretty correctable. Nurse, nurse, nurse. You'll get your supply synched up to baby in no time.

[devoted]

You'll get your supply synched up to baby in no time.[/QUOTE]

So should I pump after feedings and offer a couple ounces of supp until then.
because NOW the reason I am having to supp w/ form is bc I went crazy one day last week and quit cold turkey. see a few posts back. So now I am sort of in the position to where I need to supp. OR will nurse, nurse, nursing just fix the low supply at this point. ...I know...I've got 50 more(questions)..I'm full of them. I am a first generation nursing mom and you guys are my only support. Even my pedi says "you don't have to do this if it is stressing you out, there are other ways to nourish your baby." My DH is even telling me why don't you just quit, it would be easier on you. Honestly I think he(DH) is just jealous of the boobie time my DS gets. Soooo thank you for the MUCH NEEDED SUPPORT!

[tifttu]

If you just stopped for one day, I think just nursing without supplementation will be just fine. The best way to judge if baby is getting enough is to keep a count of wet diapers. If baby is peeing well, baby is nursing well.

If you need specific food help, there are lots of us who have been dairy free. I have probably 2-3yrs of experience being dairy and/or soy free from both of my kids.

[Nipple_nectar]

Come here anytime, we are always here:)

[StillSingingMom]

So should I pump after feedings and offer a couple ounces of supp until then.



First, try not to stress. When this settles down it will be easy. Honest. You'll be able to take the baby places, and all you'll have to pack is diapers and wipes, and maybe a change of clothes.

You will have to taper the supplementation somehow. If it were me, I would start by picking a couple of times during the day that were no supplementation blocks- like the morning and the afternoon. Just keep nursing. The breasts are never completely empty, they just keep making milk. And the best stimulation for making more milk is a baby suckling.

Since you also have an issue with bottle preference, you might end up cutting the supplementation cold turkey. This will mean that you will have several days of non-stop nursing.

If you're worried about your supply, then maybe you will want to keep offering a supplement- but start tapering how much you offer and how often. Offer one ounce if you've been offering two. And if baby isn't hungry, don't push it.

Don't forget to take care of yourself. You will make milk more easily if you get enough to eat and drink. I find that when my nursling is in a high-demand state, I really need some extra fat. I know it's wrong, but a doughnut or two makes a lot of difference when we are having a big nurse-in.

It is common to have an occasional mismatch between supply and demand, so babies have a mechanism for adjusting supply. They nurse all. the. time. It works really well. They are amazing at getting supply up. But since you already have concerns about supply, make sure that you keep track of wet diapers so that you know baby is getting what he needs.

[devoted]

oaky, I can do that. I nursed all day yesterday and he took about 8 oz. of supp. all day. Last night I nursed before bedtime and he only wanted an ounce of form after. So I can tell that my supply is coming back. Whereas 3 days ago he took an entire 5oz. This AM he only wanted 1.5 ounces after nursing....yaaay! Thanks for your help. I am determined to last with this one, because I only nursed my first for 6 weeks. ( because the pedi told me that would be sufficient, and I was weary). thanks again!

[KerryS]

I just wanted to add to the others - your baby is not lactose intolerant. Infant lactose intolerance is a VERY rare genetic condition (affects about 1 in 100,000 infants) and incompatible with life without special formula. It would have caused failure to thrive and severe illness from birth. If your baby is able to tolerate your breastmilk (which contains far more lactose than cow milk does), then he's not lactose intolerant.

[Amy_G_]

oaky, I can do that. I nursed all day yesterday and he took about 8 oz. of supp. all day. Last night I nursed before bedtime and he only wanted an ounce of form after. So I can tell that my supply is coming back. Whereas 3 days ago he took an entire 5oz. This AM he only wanted 1.5 ounces after nursing....yaaay! Thanks for your help. I am determined to last with this one, because I only nursed my first for 6 weeks. ( because the pedi told me that would be sufficient, and I was weary). thanks again!

I will suggest that 5 oz in a bottle is overfeeding, especially if baby also nursed. Most babies take in 2-3 ounces at a time. It's very very easy to overfeed a breastfed baby with a bottle. They are used to it taking longer to eat, so they want to suck the same amount of time, but the bottle flows much much faster than the breast, so they keep sucking and overeat.

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/bottle-feeding.html
how to bottle feed a breastfed baby.

and http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/milkcalc.html
how much milk baby is most likely eating per feeding.

[chaosKOSMOS]

I agree w/AmyG. I also know that sometimes if you ff after bf, the baby might feel full for a much longer period of time than if you just bf. This would cause you to not bf DS when you actually probably should be. Baby will still feel full because their body is trying to digest the formula. This in turn would cause you to produce less bm than is necessary.

I hope you are seeing the snowball effect I am trying to illustrate...

It happened w/my oldest DS. I started to think that my milk was drying up at 4 months, when really it was my body adjusting. I began giving him formula "just until I get my supply back up" but it never happened. By the time he was 5 months old, he was completely weaned from the breast :(

I think that you should toss the formula now and just be prepared forLOTS of frequent feeding. Baby will seem hungrier, but you have to remember that bm is easier digested, so baby is ready to eat again sooner. I almost had the same problem w/ds 3, but dumped the sample can into the garbage so that I would not be tempted.

I still feel like I just want to switch to formula some days w/dd... but I think I've FINALLY realized that if it ain't broke...don't fix it!

GL!

Grace