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Parents turn to alternative infant formulas, such as soy or hypoallergenic formulas, for several reasons. Your baby might be allergic to cow's milk, or you might think -- or hope -- that your baby's colic will decrease with a different formula. Both soy and hypoallergenic formulas have their places in certain circumstances, but neither helps control infant colic, notes MedlinePlus. Talk to your baby's doctor before changing his formula.
SOY FORMULAS
If your baby is lactose intolerant, soy provides a good alternative, since it contains no lactose, the primary milk sugar. However, true lactose intolerance is rare in infants and children under age 12 months, notes MedlinePlus. Babies with galactosemia, who can't tolerate certain proteins, also can benefit from soy formulas. Vegetarian parents might choose soy formulas, which contain no animal products.
SOY FORMULA CONCERNS
About 12 percent of American babies drank soy-based formula. That represented a 50 percent drop from 1999 as concern grew over the effects of phytoestrogens in soy formula on infants, according to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Babies who are allergic to cow's milk might also experience allergy symptoms with soy formulas, notes MayoClinic.com.
HYPOALLERGENIC FORMULA USES
For babies who can't digest cow's milk but also have an allergy to soy, hypoallergenic formulas can provide nutrition. Hypoallergenic formulas are made from proteins that have been broken down to make them more digestible and less likely to cause allergies. An estimated 90 percent of infants with cow's milk allergy tolerate hypoallergenic formulas, according to an American Academy of Pediatrics Policy Paper, published in the Aug. 1, 2000, issue of "Pediatrics."
DRAWBACKS OF HYPOALLERGENIC FORMULAS
Hypoallergenic formulas have some major drawbacks. These formulas cost more than soy or cow's milk formulas. They also taste bad, according to pediatrician and author Dr. William Sears. To cover up the taste, manufacturers add sugars, such as corn syrup or corn starch. Hypoallergenic formulas also contain 30 to 90 percent more salt and provide a type of fat that's easier to digest but one that's not normally found in foods, according to Sears. Use this type of formula only if your baby's doctor specifically recommends it to treat your child's diagnosed problem.
REFERENCES
AskDrSears.com: Hypoallergenic Formula https://www.askdrsears.com/topics/feeding-eating/bottle-feeding/hypoallergenic-formula
Pediatrics: Hypoallergenic Infant Formulas http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/106/2/346.full
MayoClinic.com: Infant formula -- Your Questions Answered https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/in-depth/infant-formula/art-20045782
The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences: Since You Asked -- Soy Infant Formula https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/atoz/
MedlinePlus: Infant Formulas https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002447.htm