soy milk for infant with allergies to dairy

Our son (16 months) is allergic to cow's milk, cheese, wheat and eggs.  We are afraid that if we give him soy milk, he may develop an allergy to it. While kids tend to outgrow allergies to dairy, wheat and eggs, we have read that allergies to soy and peanuts are harder to outgrow.  We would like to avoid giving him soy until he is over three years old.  However, the nutritional benefit of soy may be worth giving it to him now.
Should we give him soy milk?  How likely is it that he will become allergic to it?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

Cow's milk allergy is very common and usually disappears by age two to three years, but may occasionally be lifelong.
Cow’s milk contains over 25 different proteins which can cause reactions in individuals allergic to milk. Some people are allergic to just one of them, whilst the majority are allergic to several.These proteins may be found in other foods also.Like wheat or gluten contains riboflavin which is found in milk also.So people allergic to milk may show allergy towards wheat also.This phenomena is called cross reactivity.

Milk from other mammals (such as goats and sheep), and hydrolysed milk and soya formulas, are sometimes used as a substitute for babies who are at risk of developing cows’ milk allergy. However, the allergens in milk from goats and sheep are very similar to those in cows’ milk. This means that someone with a cows’ milk allergy might react to these other types of milk as well, so goat’s and sheep milk aren’t suitable alternatives for people who are sensitive to cows’ milk.

Some highly hydrolysed milk formulas are suitable for babies with cows’ milk allergy, but other types of formula, such as partially hydrolysed milk and soya formulas, aren’t suitable, because many babies with cows’ milk allergy might react to them as well.
http://www.theallergysite.co.uk/dairy.html

You can get blood tests like RAST or skin ***** test done to find whether your child will be allergic to soy milk or not.That is the only way of confirming the allergic reaction.

Take care and regards.

[marty60601]

Thanks for your response.  As it turns out our son is allergic to wheat, but the RAST test says he is not allergic to soy.  So we could give him soy milk, but I am worried that it would cause him to develop an allergy to soy.  I'm not sure how likely it is that he would develop an allergy by consuming soy milk.  views on this would be helpful.  

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

The views to this question whether your son who is allergic to milk can take soy milk are different. Milk substitutes including soy based formula, hypoallergenic formulas based on partially or extensively hydrolyzed protein (such as nutramigen, alimentum, and pregestemil) or free amino acids (such as neocate)can be taken in a person who is allergic to milk.. Partially hydrolysates formula are characterised by a larger proportion of long chains (peptides) and are considered more palatable.

But some researchers say that some highly hydrolysed milk formulas are suitable for babies with cows’ milk allergy, but other types of formula, such as partially hydrolysed milk and soya formulas, aren’t suitable, because many babies with cows’ milk allergy might react to them as well.
http://www.theallergysite.co.uk/dairy.html

A your son has come clear for allergy to soya milk after rast,you can try giving it to him.But pls keep an eye for symptoms like dizziness,rashes,itching,difficulty breathing,wheezing etc.In that case pls consult your allergiat immediately.

Take care and regards.

[gordi625]

My son is 8 months old and has a persistant cough for over two months. He has also developed double ear infections and asthma.  A new doctor has recommend changing him to soy milk, but my son hates it!.  What are my options?

[enzymelover]

   Never give soy milk or soy formula to a child. It's not worth the risk. Allergy is just the beginning. Quite possibly, serious endocrine hormone disruption will result.

I honestly believe my own son's endocrine damage resulted from the two years of soy formula, and later, other soy products he consumed.  No one should risk their health or their child's by consuming soy. After much research, I don't even consider soy to be a food product anymore. I used to be a proponent of soy. I believed all the marketing hype.
Now my son is paying the price, because I trusted the wrong sources.

If you're interested, read  The Whole Soy Story by Kaayla T. Daniel .

Please stay away from soy.

Enzy