Need you knowledge on soy based formula

I've been reading a lot on this forum lately that soy based formula's not good for a child.  What do you know about it?  Does it mess with the child's hormones?  I'm a little concerned since I've been giving soy formula to DD since she was 2 months old (one feeding a day b/c I was breastfeeding) and started giving it to her "full time" so to speak (when I gave up the breastfeeding) at 6 1/2 months.  Any info is appreciated.

[Me2mommy2b]

http://www.mothering.com/articles/growing_child/food/soy_story.html

[tomel]

Why did you choose soy over dairy?

I have read alot about it and it does mess with the hormones in children. In fact theres info. out there that discourages adults from having to much. Soy is in all kinds of products breads ,cereals etc. read the labels of stuff you buy and you will find soy in alot of it. There is even soy in the soaps, shampoos and makeup we use. We get way to much of it.
From what I know since I have a boy it seems to be worse for boys. But I have heard that is can affect girls as well  Do a google search on it and you will find different thougts on the subject.

Mabye try a organic dairy based formula instead and see how that works.

[tomel]

Thanks good article.

I had forgotten about the whole way its processed and genetically modified.

[Me2mommy2b]

I tried milk based formula and DD was way too gassy from it.  Plus, DD was diagnosed with reflux when she was 3 months and could not tolerate milk based formulas well.  We tried soy based and she seemed to be doing better on it.  Now that she's 9 months, we tried to wean her off of it a few weeks ago but she would not take a milk based formula.  I have to find a way for her to take the milk based b/c now I'm freaking out.  I read the article and I feel like I damaged my own child.

[2ndBaby]

My situation with my DD was similar to what mommy just posted.  We tried a whole range of milk-based formulas before the doctor suggested soy.  She was on it until 12 mos, when we switched her over to whole milk with great success.

I googled soy formula the other night.  There are some scary articles out there, but there are also articles with studies saying/showing that there are no increased risks with soy formulas.

Who does one believe?  

My DD seems fine right now at age 5-perhaps time will tell.  I will definitely start this baby out with milk-based formula, but if we have the same issues as we did with my DD, then what?

[Me2mommy2b]

I was thinking the same thing...what do I do if my 2nd one does not tolerate milk based as well?  I'm all for breastfeeding but unfortunately, I completely dried up after 6 months of breastfeeding with DD.  (sigh)....

[tomel]

Yes we had the same problem with our son. I did nurse for a while but when he went on formula and we found he didnt seem to tolerate milk based we switched to soy.
I was actually told by my ped. nurse practioner that alot of times if they are allergic to the milk base then they may also be allergic to the soy.
The only other option I know is out there is the very expensive milk based formula that is hypoallergenic and the proteins are broken down.
One is Alimentum the other it Nutrigem  (sp?) there is another one but I dont know the name off hand.
I guess it's true what they say breast is best, if only it were that easy for all of us to nurse for a full yr.

As far as the soy when they get older. you can try to avoid it as much as possible by reading labels buying whole foods and organic.