Colic and soy formula for babies

Many mothers wonder whether soy formula is less likely or more likely to cause colic compared to non-soy formula. Here are some tips to help you deal with this very important issue. Note: always seek help from a physician is colic pains persist for more than a day or if you suspect that it is something more serious than just colic pains. Colic is a phrase used to describe unhappy babies. It is not an accurate diagnosis - the symptoms could be due to trapped winds (Intestinal wind and gas), muscle spasms or neurological overload.

If a baby has more than 3 of the symptoms below (in the same hour) it probably means the baby has so-called colic: cramping, refluxing, moaning, restless sleep, clenched fists, grunting, pushing, fretfulness, crying spells, wailing, arching, evening, fussiness, greenish stools, bloating, groaning. You should avoid feeding the baby with any kind of milk except human breast milk or infant formula milk if your baby is less than two years old. Avoid all kinds of cow's milk or goat's milk. Also, do not give soy milk, rice milk, or any other kind of non-dairy milk to a baby under two, unless it is specifically formulated as infant formula for babies. Soy milk is fine in moderation for children and adults, but not for babies under two.

Regarding soy infant formula, some reports say that it may affect children's sexual development and fertility as adults if they are given soy formula during their first few months of life. Therefore do your utmost to give your baby breast milk only in the first few months of life. From six months onwards, if breast milk can no longer be given, soy milk in moderation is not known to be harmful. You basically have a choice between soy formula or dairy milk formula. There is no evidence that soy infant formula is more likely or less likely to cause colic compared to formulas that contain whey or casein. Note that some infant formulas may contain a mix of soy and whey protein.

To relieve your baby of colic you can learn how to use special baby-holding positions and gentle stretching techniques that give the baby relief. Such information is available from maternity wards, baby clinics, and other sources such as a public library, the Citizens Advice Bureau, or by searching the internet. The main objective of giving the baby stretching and holding exercises is to alleviate gas and reposition intestines. This also relieves pressure on the diaphragm and lumbar spine.

Be gentle with the baby whatever you do, and hold the baby safely with plenty of pillow support.

For more information please go to Colic and Soy Formula. Watch out for a sensational report showing why organic milk is so bad for health. See also www.about-milk.info for more fascinating facts.