What's so bad about giving my son soy milk if I don't want to give him cow's milk?

Question

I am not a fan of cow's milk for many reasons. My neice is on soy because she had problems when she was younger and instead of trying different formulas the pediatrician immediately switched her to soy and said all of her kids never drank cow's milk because she thought soy was better and healthier. Now, I thought this was untrue or that I heard other moms on here say otherwise? What is true? Is it ok to give my son soy for no reason other than I don't like cow's milk (chemicals, animal cruelty, etc.)? And please don't suggest organic, which is what I have been using, anyways. Thanks!

Answer 1

If it's vitamin and mineral enriched, then fine. Regular soy milk does not have enough calcium or vitamins.

Answer 2

My third child was on soy for along time becuase of allergies and she is a perfectly healthy child

Answer 3

There is no calcium in soy milk, which is beneficial to a growing baby's bones. You should not feed him on this for that reason alone. Some babies have allergies or deficiencies which make them candidates for soy milk, but you should always try cows milk first, as it is best for the baby.

Answer 4

It is perfectly fine to give your child soy milk, my son has been on soymilk since day one.  Soy milk does have calcium and it is more vitamin efficient then regular milk.  My son had problems with digesting the fat in cows milk when he was younger.  Although he grew out of it and I switched to regular milk, I went back to SoyMilk because he likes it better and it is better for him.

Answer 5

Soy is from beans its natural for humans to consume beans.  Cows milk is from a cow.  From a certain point of view baby's drink mother's milk, it's natural and easier to digest than milk from other forms of creatures.  You can get calcium in plenty of other things.  Unless you are a calf it might not be as normal to drink from a cow as you might think.  

There have been many examples where when the baby does not take their mother's milk, the animal will survive on another creature's milk.

I hope this helped in informing you of the why's and thru nature's examples of milk preferences.

Answer 6

Health benefits

Soy milk is nutritionally close to cow's milk, though most soy milk commercially available today is enriched with added vitamins such as vitamin B12. It naturally has about the same amount of protein (but not the same proteins[citation needed]) as cow milk. Natural soy milk contains little digestible calcium as it is bound to the bean's pulp, which is insoluble in a human. To counter this, many manufacturers enrich their products with calcium carbonate available to human digestion. Unlike cow's milk it has little saturated fat and no cholesterol, which many consider to be a benefit. Soy products contain sucrose as the basic disaccharide, which breaks down into glucose and fructose. Since soy doesn't contain galactose, a product of lactose breakdown, it can safely replace breast milk in children with Galactosemia.

Soy milk is promoted as a healthy alternative to cow's milk for reasons including:

Source of lecithin and vitamin E

Lacks casein

It is safe for people with lactose intolerance or milk allergy

Polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats are good for the heart.

Contains isoflavones, organic chemicals that may possibly be beneficial to health.

In 1995 the New England Journal of Medicine (Vol.333, No. 5) published a report from the University of Kentucky entitled "Meta-Analysis of the Effects of Soy Protein Intake on Serum Lipids." It was financed by the PTI division of DuPont, The Solae Co of St. Louis. This meta-analysis concluded that soy protein is correlated with significant decreases in serum cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL, bad cholesterol), and triglyceride concentrations. However, high density lipoprotein (HDL, good cholesterol), did not increase. Soy phytoestrogens (isoflavones:genistein and daidzein) absorbed onto the soy protein were suggested as the agent reducing serum cholesterol levels.[6] On the basis of this research PTI, in 1998, filed a petition with FDA for a health claim that soy protein may reduce cholesterol and the risk of heart disease. The FDA granted this health claim for soy: "25 grams of soy protein a day, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart disease." One serving of soy milk (1 cup or 240 mL), for instance, contains 6 or 7 grams of soy protein.

In January, 2006 an American Heart Association review (in the journal Circulation) of a decade-long study of soy protein benefits cast doubt on the FDA-allowed "Heart Healthy" claim for soy protein.[7] The panel also found that soy isoflavones do not reduce post menopause "hot flashes" in women, nor do isoflavones help prevent cancers of the breast, uterus, or prostate. Among the conclusions the authors state, "In contrast, soy products such as tofu, soy butter, soy nuts, or some soy burgers should be beneficial to cardiovascular and overall health because of their high content of polyunsaturated fats, fiber, vitamins, and minerals and low content of saturated fat. Using these and other soy foods to replace foods high in animal protein that contain saturated fat and cholesterol may confer benefits to cardiovascular health."[8]

[edit] Negative health effects

See also: Soy controversy

However, the soy industry has also received similar criticism for reasons including:

Soy consumption has been linked to cognitive impairment in male rats.[9] Nevertheless the cited studies are based on rats fed with concentrated phytoestrogens and not common soy beans and it is already well known that concentrated estrogens cause negative effects in males. The common amounts of phytoestrogens in soy beans are not to be compared to concentrated phytoestrogens.[citation needed]

High levels of phytic acid, which binds to important nutrients like calcium, magnesium, iron,[10] and zinc, during digestion. However, as a comparison, cow milk is known for significantly slowing down the absorption of iron[11] and, additionally, calcium from other than dairy sources (like kale, sesame).

Although in general soy milk is not suitable for babies or infants, there exist baby formulas based on soy protein, i.e. soy milk, that are used primarily in the case of lactose intolerant children, those allergic to cow's milk or parental preference for a vegetarian or vegan diet. Farley's Soya Infant Formula is approved by the Vegan Society in the UK. These formulas are commonly named "soy milk", but contain extra carbohydrates, fat, vitamins and minerals. However, care must be taken that children with "Soy protein intolerance" are not fed soy milk.

Answer 7

It doesnt provide all the goodness that cows milk does that is essential for his body to grow...!

Educate yourself with the facts about the essential needs for a growing baby and its importance for the body to grow healthily...!

Answer 8

there is no bad reason at all for giving you kids soya milk

cows milk has been linked to lots of diff things including athsma i would urge all perents to be as responsable as you are bein by not givin cows milk

go to the peta website an there is a rundown of reasons you shouldnt give your children any kind of animal milk

Answer 9

The thing about calcium is hog wash!!! Soy milk is fortified with calcium and has 35% DRV in an 8 oz serving. It's the same percentage as cows milk. My son was on soy milk instead of cows milk also. He was nursed until he was 1 and then he was given soy milk and water. He loves it! There is nothing wrong with soy instead of cows milk. The dairy industry wants you to think that milk is better than soy, but I don't agree at all. Go with your gut, you know what's best for your son. On the organic thing, about 95% of soy grown in this country is grown organically. If you ever do decide to give him regular milk, try organic raw milk. It's way better for you than that garbage in the grocery store. You can buy it at the health food store. It's really delicious.

Answer 10

well i know that after 2yrs. that its OK to have soy milk because when there smaller there brains are developing. but after two you can give them what ever and if your still not sure ask your child's doctor.

Answer 11

Soy Formulas and the Effects of Isoflavones on the Thyroid  



  

Environmental scientist and long-time campaigner against soy-based infant formulas, Dr Mike Fitzpatrick, has warned about the risk of thyroid disease in infants fed soy formulas, high soy consumers and users of isoflavone supplements:

"There is potential for certain individuals to consume levels of isoflavones in the range that could have goitrogenic effects. Most at risk appear to be infants fed soy formulas, followed by high soy users and those using isoflavone supplements".

The report noted that infants fed soy formulas are exposed to high levels of isoflavones, which are potent anti-thyroid agents, and that the risks to normal growth and development were significant.

Fitzpatrick stated that thyroid problems due to soy might not be recognised "due to difficulties in establishing a cause and effect relationship" and noted that even experienced soy researchers may be ignorant of the connection between isoflavones and goitre.

Fitzpatrick also rejected claims that there was no evidence that isoflavones in soy formulas harmed infants citing the reported cases of goitre that have occurred in infants fed iodine sufficient soy formulas.

Fitzpatrick stated his support to the position of the New Zealand Ministry of Health:

"The Ministry of Health has found that infants with a history of thyroid dysfunction should avoid soy formulas and soy milks. Additionally, there is potential for isoflavone exposure to cause chronic thyroid damage in all infants fed soy formulas" Fitzpatrick stated that exposing infants to isoflavones was unnecessary and that the risk of harm could be avoided if manufacturers removed isoflavones from soy formulas. "In the interim" he stated "it is appropriate for medical practitioners to monitor the thyroid status of infants fed soy formulas"

Fitzpatrick also claimed that high soy consumers and users of isoflavone supplements were also at risk of thyroid disorders. He stated that the subtle effects of anti-thyroid agents on thyroid function would most likely be evidenced as subclinical, or even overt hypothyroidism.

Fitzpatrick also noted that a sporadic pattern of soy use may also not be without risk since the resulting thyroid stimulation parallels the classic method for inducing thyroid tumours in laboratory animals. He recommended "a more cautionary approach to the use of soy and isoflavone supplements".

New Zealand Medical Journal (Volume 113, Feb 11, 2000)



More info on soy and general health topics can be found at www.mercola.com.

Answer 12

Soy has unnatrual levels of bisphenoal A or BPA for short. BPA is a chemical that leeches into the body and can cause internal damage to the reproductive system.

BPA is commonly found in plastic #3, the man made type.

Soy has natural BPA but! The natural was proven to be juast as dangerous.

Answer 13

what does it matter what we think? You will do what you want. Personally i would rather them have cows milk as they get more calcium and in my personal preference it tastes better. Do what you want and don't worry about what others think

Answer 14

He needs calcium. Soy milk is fine, but you may want to add calcium to the milk, or let him eat more yogurt/cheese.

Answer 15

I have kids with lactose intolerance, and we use soy milk. There isnt' anything wrong with it, most even have calcium supplement in them, look here for more info

http://www.soyfoods.com/nutrition/Calciu...

I don't believe in getting calcium from mostly milk sources anyway, there is a high level of calcium in most green veggies, as well as beans.