Soy or Hypoallergenic Formula?

Summer13 · #1 December 9th, 2009, 10:33 AM

My 3 month old son is lactose intolerant and had tried Enfamil Premium Lipil, Enfamil AR, and Enfamil Gentlease before his pediatrician recommended that we try soy. He has now been on Enfamil ProSoybee for 2 weeks and is doing very well on it. The issue that I have is that I have read that there is a naturally occuring estrogen in soy and that its effects on infants has not yet been researched. This is causing me a lot of worry because I would think that drinking 30+ oz. a day of all soy formula would mean that he is consuming quite a bit of estrogen. My question is....is it better to put him on the hypoallergenic formula (either Nutramigen w/Enflora or Similac Alimentum)? Does anyone know how these formulas are soy and lactose free (meaning are they still milk-based proteins)? What have you done or would you do in this situation? Does anyone know of any possible concerns about the Nutramigen w/Enflora or Similac Alimentum formulas?

clm817 · #2 December 9th, 2009, 06:41 PM

Have you ever tried Similac sensitive? The enfamil gentlease is only lactose REDUCED while the similac sensitive is lactose FREE, so to a little baby with lactose intolerance that could mean a world of difference!

I refuse to let either of my kids drink soy milk, now when your older and only drink it sometimes that's a little different but for a baby's sole nutrition, no way! I've read that a baby on soy milk is getting the same estrogen amount of THREE birth control pills per day! So if you have concerns over the soy milk, I'd try the Similac sensivite first and then if that doesn't work try the Nutramigen or Alimentum which are VERY expensive!

ETA: I looked up those formula's and I couldn't find much on the Nutramigen but the Alimentum says it's for protein sensitivity in both cow's milk and soy milk, so I'm not sure what it would be made of but obviously neither of those.

I hope you find something that helps.

*Jennifer* · #3 December 10th, 2009, 03:14 PM

Hi there. My son is on Nutramigen, which has done wonders for him. The powdered version with Enflora cannot be heated. There is nothing wrong with that since room temp is fine. However. my son seems to like it warmed. Certain places do sell the one without enflora, but it's about $5 more per can.

good luck