Is 10 months too early to switch to soy milk from soy formula?

[Mel55]

I gave DS some soy milk today just to see if he'd like sipping on it from his sippy cup, and what do you know he chugged it!  Seeing as a case of soy formula is $50, I was thinking if he likes the regular soy milk alright am I okay to change him over?

[momtonb&ab]

we got the ok from pediatrician to switch to milk (we didn't do soy though) at 10 months because our los were such good eaters with their solids and their intake was so good.  the switch was much like you say, they chugged the milk happily and we got rid of bottles in the process (in hindsight a wonderful thing to have done!)

is he a good eater?

[Mel55]

He's an awesome eater (knock on wood!).  He eats everything, all meat, all veggie, all fruit.  Totally a happy camper with any sort of food. He's lactose intolerant tho, that's why he's on the soy formula.  I gave him some more at supper tonight and he chugged it again out of his cup, so I'm hoping I'll be able to transition from formula/bottles straight to sippy cup/milk without much fuss.  Here's hoping!  I just didn't want to do it too early that's all.

[momtonb&ab]

we were certainly told it was not too soon...we transitioned right at this time last year so they were 9.5 months....it was perfect and eating has been perfect thoughout!  had a slight dip in milk consumption for about a week as bottles went, but nothing substantial and it was really so smooth.  sounds like you are trusting your instinct and you are right.  i know a lot of books say 12 months, but when they eat well our ped said there is no need.  we do a multi vitamin just as a precaution since they don't get that when formula goes, but otherwise .....

[Mydreamcametrue]

I think you are okay.  Most lo's refuse the transition, so this is great news. 

If he did not eat so well, I would say hold off, but sounds like he will be just fine.

Hugs and I hope it goes well.  Wendy

[Mel55]

Where did you find a vitamin suitable for a baby?  I can't seem to find one here, they're all for 4 and up.

I gave him a sippy cup this a.m. in place of his morning bottle, he drank a little more than half of what he normally would but had no problem with it.  He's still only taking 5-6 oz normally (whereas my other kids were up to 8 oz by this age!) so he's not a horribly thirsty kid. 

None of my kids have been interested in getting rid of their bottles this early, so how do I go about weaning a night bottle or am I okay to keep a night bottle and just use the sippy throughout the day?

[Peek-a-boo]

I'd be a little worried about the difference in fat content b/t soy formula and soy milk.  Unlike 4% "full fat" cow's milk that LOs transition to at a year, soy milk has far less fat, doesn't it?

[Mel55]

The carton says 8% fat per 250ml serving. 

[momtonb&ab]

where are you located?   we get a generic liquid vitamin at walmart but enfamil makes a vitamin called 'tri-v-sol' that is appropriate from 6 months.  our ped recommended it and it is him who told us that the walmart one has exactly the same ingredients for 1/3 the cost! 

[Peek-a-boo]

The carton says 8% fat per 250ml serving. 

Sorry if I'm beating a dead horse here , but is that 8% of an adults daily recommended allotment of fat?  Or that the milk consists of 8% fat?  I don't know that answer at all.  Either way it does sound like it has a lot more fat than rice milk (which is the milk substitute we use)--and the basis of my worries .  I just worry because, for example, rice milk specifically says on it to consult a doctor if using it for children under 5 years old. 

[Mel55]

Thanks, I'll look for the Tri-V-Sol at Walmart, I have seen it before.

The 8%/serving is just under the nutritional information.  I know the So Good is fattyer than Rice Milk, DD was on Rice Milk when she was a toddler as she developed a soy intolerance as well as a milk intolerance.  We just tried to up the fat in her diet to make up for it. 

I see the Ped in a few weeks for a regular checkup for DS, so will see what she says.  Will pick up the vitamin and try to keep DS's fats up too, however I can!

[momtonb&ab]

sounds like a perfect plan!

[Sapphyre]

Hi there...first time posting, but have been reading for a while. I just saw this note and thought I'd better pop on to let you know what I was told just yesterday.

I saw our Naturopathic Doctor about the plan for our daughter in introducing new foods. She is 5 1/2 months old and is on a lactose free formula; just started rice cereal a couple weeks ago. The ND knows that I drink soy milk as I can't do dairy and she advised not to give our daughter any soy milk or other soy products other than tofu until over the age of two. The tofu will be introduced between 12 and 18 months. She explained that the reason for this is because of the processing the soy goes through; they don't really know what sort of affect it may have on little ones, particularly because soy contains a natural estrogen. 

Now...having said all of that, we don't know if our daughter will be okay with dairy or not. If it turns out that she can't drink milk, then maybe the ND will advise to go ahead with the soy milk since she won't have another option. (she had originally advised not to give her soy formula either, but had also stated that if the lactose free one didn't work, then to go ahead and try the soy since the hypoallergenic formulas cost a fortune!)

If you know of a good naturopathic doctor in your area, I'd try checking with them. Or if you have a really good health foods store you could speak to them; they may know what would work. (be careful though...sometimes the people in those stores can be a little fanatical about avoiding things coming from animals!) Alternatively...I wouldn't mind asking my ND for you if she has an alternate recommendation for someone in your situation.

[Mel55]

Thanks, sure that would be great if you would ask.  Spectra sent me a link on soy which I'm sure mentiones the high estrogen level or whatever it is.  It also concerns me. 

DS cannot drink milk, have yogurt, or anything with dairy in it as he vomits it up within minutes.  I'd be interested to see what your NP says...

[Sapphyre]

hi there, the suggestion is to try goat's milk. Most people (adults and children) who can't tolerate products made from cow's milk are fine with goat's milk and goat's milk products.