Soy Formula

[Littlebigcat]

My 7 month old DS has shown some signs through weaning that he's intolerant to cows milk. He comes out in hives and sneezes. Until now he has been EBF but has never seemed to have any issue with the dairy in my diet.

Anyway I need to get him to accept formula, I find it difficult to express these daays as he's so hungry and have hen do's/weddings later in the year and he's never been too keen on the bottle anyway. Other than a few occasions i can still keep in some feeds BFing till the end of the year when he'll be almost one. When I spoke to the HV about trying him on a daily bottle of soy formula (so far no reaction) she told me it was really bad and they wouldn't recommend it as it doesn't have all the nutrients and how it's really bad that it's still being sold. Is she being daft, especially considering I'm not using it all the time? I don't think my GP was very keen to prescribe anything seeing as up to now he's been EBF.

Hi,

Did not want your post to get left unanswered.

Are you sure you want to come off the BF? I understand that now may be the time and you may need to persist for a while to get your child to accept the bottle. If you have decided then a HV/G.P may be more helpful in terms of the cow's milk alternatives.

My son (now 10) had diary allergy right from birth - so I have a little knowledge on your topic. He rejected the breast (now I know why; but at time that was difficult). Was constantly vomiting on formula, gripes, unsatisfied with feeding, need dieticians help with weaning/food substitutes etc. He was prescribed formula called nutrimigen (which is basically space food for babies with soy/dairy allergies).

Hives and sneezes are often more of an allergic reaction rather than an intolerance. The body deals with the two things very differently. To ascertain whether it is an allergy ; we were admitted for a patch test on the local children's ward.

HV's are quite reticent to push cow's milk alternatives unless your child has a definite reaction. If he has; then you will need to press for further testing and maybe a help of a dietician.

There is an allergy part to his website which may help with the wider issues associated with bringing up a child on a dairy-free diet.

Soya formula has been linked to infertility in boys, it's really bad for teeth and the proteins are similar to cow's milk so it's common to have issues with both soya and cow's milk.

If you want to use formula I would get your GP to prescribe a hypoallergenic formula.

Thanks for the replies.

JohFlow- I'm not really thinking of giving up BFing entirely, steering more towards being able to reliably combination feed on the odd occasion when GP's babysit. Expressing stopped being an option really at 4 months as he takes all I have and to be honest even when I expressed he shoved the bottle away. Up to now we've been out for a few hours locally and he usually waits for me to return after refusing a bottle but that's not going to be an option when GP's have him overnight, hence trying him with a bottle every day.

He has had a definite reaction, to yoghurt, porridge made with skimmed milk powder and baby food containing cheese. I showed the GP photo's of the hives and have been referred but that was 5 weeks ago now and still haven't even had a date for the appointment, I've been told it can take 4-5 months to be seen. I think as I was EBFing he seemed quite reluctant to prescribe anything even though I did mention I would need other options in the near future so I've just found myself with soy, so far no allergic reaction. I have been very lucky in that he has never reacted to the dairy in my diet, the thought this might indicate an allergy he's more likely to grow out of but time will tell I suppose. I do hope so, apart from all the obvious restrictions it seems there is skimmed milk power in everything.

Trixy- I had read about infertility and also things about that risk being very small, I think I'd have been more worried about if I'd been planning to feed Soy exclusively. We've had no reaction to the feeds he's had so far. Hadn't seen anything about it being bad for teeth, he doesn't have any yet though so hopefully no damage done. The HV only mentioned it was lacking in nutrients

Looks like I need to pester my GP to prescribe, I just got the impression that he thought I should just continue breastfeeding and that wanting any freedom from it was a bit trivial.

I spoke to the GP briefly whilst I was there for something unrelated. He seemed to think the HV should prescribe formula and said they don't really get involved with that kind of thing and to ask the HV at the 8 month check next week, the HV had told me it was the GP who had to prescribe. Who is right?

I would ring your surgery (as a mystery customer) and ask reception who is responsible for prescribing baby formula.

I am fairly sure that G.Ps can prescribe; however I am unsure if it also needs a second yes from another professional/HV.

Good Luck