This entry was posted on Monday, June 30th, 2008 at 10:34 pm and is filed under Soy Health. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
Mothers of young babies often worry about what is best for the young ones. We know that breastfeeding is the healthiest choice for infants, but sometimes it’s not possible to breastfeed. Many mothers are torn about what to do instead. Is a milk-based formula better for baby, or is soy-based formula healthier?
Milk or Soy: Which is Healthier?
Milk-based formulas are undoubtedly more popular, but soy-based formulas are just as nutritious. Both contain the nutrients necessary for baby to grow big and strong. The main factors in this decision are baby’s tolerance of milk and the parents’ preferences.
Since dairy is a very common allergen, many babies have trouble digesting milk-based formulas. Soy-based formulas are then used as an alternative and are usually tolerated very well.
More Mothers are Choosing Soy
Some mothers use soy-based formula as a first choice, though, and this school of thought seems to be growing. There are new studies nearly every year about the harmful hormones in dairy and how they find their way into our children’s bodies. Parents are taking notice and keeping their children away from dairy in record numbers.
Life-long Benefits
Nutritionally, dairy and soy formulas are very close. Babies will not suffer drinking one formula over another. But some preliminary studies suggest that baby girls who are fed soy formula grow up into women who have a lowered incidence of breast cancer.
No matter what your reason is for choosing soy formula over dairy formula or breastfeeding, you can rest assured that your baby will thrive. You’re doing something positive for your baby today and you may even be setting him or her up for a lifetime of good health and sound nutritional choices.