Soy V. Dairy with Son

Hi K.,
I have used soy milk with 2 out of 4 of my children. My son, now 8, drank soy milk because whole milk didn't agree with him at a year old - some vomiting, belly aches and he didn't like the taste. He has never had a problem with growth, learning, and is very healthy.

My youngest, a little girl, almost 3, was also on soy milk because she didn't like the taste of whole milk. I bought vanilla flavored soy milk by accident, and stuck with it for over a year. Now, she is on whole milk, and still doesn't like the taste, so I "flavor" it for her. I use about a teaspoon of flavored coffee creamer to her nap cuppy. She drinks out of a cup the rest of the day.

I don't think that giving your son soy milk for a few months to even a couple years would create a problem with estrogen. Maybe if he is still drinking it around his time for puberty, I might be a little more concerned about it. He is a fast growing boy and needs nutrition to grow properly, it is your job to give him that.

I have never heard that cows milk is not good for you. I was told that 2 % milk is better, but not bad. Kids do need certain things that you may be able to cut out when they become teenagers, but not when they are in the early years of growing.

It is your pediatricians job to know about nutrition, and keep up with what is new! If you doubt your pediatrician, find another one. Also, find yourself a child nutritionist,(not online, ask your dr. to direct you to one, or call a local hospital for a referral) then compare what they are both telling you, and ask them both about what the other says.

Please be careful about what you lookup on the computer!! I know someone who cut meat out of their entire diet because she read somewhere that they leave the meat out on a table for days at a time, but whoever posted that forgot to specify that it was a refridgerated room!! There are people out there who are paranoid and will listen to anything they read on the computer as if it were a bible. Then spread the bad word about nutrition, among other things.

good luck

There are conflicting studies about soy and cancer. Some say increse risk of cancer, others say do not. Soy does contain isoflavones, which are plant estrogens. Overall, I think that MDs are recommending to avoid taking concentrated soy tablets, but soy in and food form is ok and doesn't have to be avoided. If you think that he may be getting a belly-ache from cow's milk, you can try lactose-free milks or try goat's milk. Otherwise there is rice milk (as someone else recommended), and almond milk. Milk is recommended due to its caloric (fat/protein/carbs) content and calcium content. Be sure that he is getting the extra calories and calcium from other food sources.

My son is allergic to milk he is 21 months old. I give him a variety of Rice milk, hemp milk and soy milk which I alternate rather then just soy all the time to provide him with different benefits. You should try them out! Rice Dream is a great brand of rice milk and you can find them at health food stores nationwide. Goodluck!

start him with 3/4 soy and just a splash of reg. milk.. then add a little more of reg. milk.. or 2 % .. and see how he does .. do this one week.. then 1/4 cup milk 3/4 soy.. and keep this up.. until it's all milk... It is a good idea to try reg. milk too since later on he will be at friends homes.. and they will serve milk.. and milk products.. so try to get him to like milk and soy is good too.

Hi K. - I think you can drive yourself crazy reading too many studies. In my opinion, it seems as though there is a different study every other day advising against something. Plus every doctor seems to have varying opinions. I give my 12 month old son plain soy milk (because cows milk seemed to worsen his sinus congestion and he also didn't tolerate the milk proteins when he was younger). It does contain less fat than cows milk but he eats a variety of foods and is meeting his nutritional requirements. My ped told me soy is ok. My son's allergist told me kids his age really don't need any form of milk as long as they are getting the calcium, fat, etc from other sources. I also tried giving him cows milk after he had been weened onto soy milk and he didn't seem to like the taste. I give him regular cheese and yogurt but since he like soy milk I decided to stick with it. I'm sure your son will grow strong and healthy with whichever form of milk you decide to give him so long as the rest of his diet is well balanced. Good luck.

What about rice milk?

Hello K.,

how about doing 1/2 and 1/2 soy and oat milk or rice milk. I've been giving soy milk to my son since before he was 1. he's 9 now. I don't think that a couple of cups of soy milk would be detrimental. check your options. soy is not the only option... (much better than a couple of years ago!)
for cooking I like to use almond milk (I bought one of those soy milk making machines and put almonds instead of soybeans) good luck! ~Carmen~