My baby is four months old , and he is partially on soy formula, but I have been hearing things about soy formula, was wondering if I need to change to cow's milk formula?

Well the Isreali Ministry of Health after extensive research following the death of several infants has put forth guidelines that soy formula should always be the absolute last resort, and has guidelines limiting the amount of soy for children.

It should be noted that the deaths that started the investigation were due to not adding proper mineral levels to the formula. But soy is higher many contaminants such as aluminum, silicone,

Also no one really knows the effects of phytoestrogens on infants and children, but it is known that the dosages received by infants on solely soy diets is very, very high -as much as 22,000 times the levels found in breastfed babies blood. It is hard to imagine anything is safe at 22,000 times normal levels.

Known Contaminants found in Infant Formula
http://ncane.com/kh5

Israeli Health MinistryIssues Soy Warning
http://ncane.com/vjl

If he has no problems with cow's milk, I would say switch him over. What you have probably been hearing is that soy contains (naturally) phytoestrogens which can cause a hormonal balance in anyone, but most likely to cause problems in children because of their size, age, and because they aren't producing a ton of their own hormones yet. It's not been SHOWN to be dangerous at all, if there is an allergy then it's better to keep him on soy than risk an allergic reaction..I don't know if they do formula but I do know they make a Rice Milk alternative to either soy or cow's milk, maybe check into that if you are really worried.

Depending On You My Kids Were On Soy And I Dont Think They Had Problems

If you have a good pediatrician, you best do what he says.You don't just go switching your baby for no reason except that "You heard" something. You can mess him up like this.

well it all depends on whether or not the baby is allergic with cow milk. this would mean most definitely that soy is the way to go. cow milk is more fattening i think as well just make your own decision on it.

If he doesn't NEED soy formula for a medical reason then yes I would definitely suggest changing him to a cow's milk based formula.

The American Academy of Pediatrics, in their policy statement on Soy Protein-based Formulas: Recommendations for Use in Infant Feeding, states that 'in term infants whose nutritional needs are not being met from maternal breast milk or cow milk-based formulas, isolated soy protein-based formulas are safe and effective alternatives to provide appropriate nutrition for normal growth and development.'

The issue you are talking about concerns the effects of phytoestrogens or isoflavones, which are present in soy baby formulas.

The AAP also states that there is also some concern that babies 'absorb calcium and some other minerals less efficiently from soy formulas than from milk-based formulas.' Soy formulas have more calcium than milk based formula to help offset this though.

Because of these concerns, soy based baby formula should only be used when indicated, including:

* babies who have galactosemia or hereditary lactase deficiency
* parents who wish to raise their term baby as a vegetarian
* infants with true lactose intolerance (a lactose free formula might be a better alternative in this case though)
* infants who have an IgE mediated allergy to cow milk proteins (although these babies may need a hypoallergenic formula if they are also allergic to soy formula)

So basically, as the AAP states, 'healthy full-term infants should be given soy formula only when medically necessary,' but soy formula is still 'safe and effective' when needed.