Acne/Rash From Soy Formula?

Dear T.,

The rash is probably unrelated to the formula, an allergic reaction would be a rash around the mouth or a diaper rash. I wouldn't worry about it. Its probably an environmental thing, just wash the area with some mild soap and water.

I'm wondering why you went straight to soy formula/lactose free? Animal protein is the easiest to digest, so you really should try to supplement with cow's milk based formula. If you want to build up your milk, try pumping between feedings.

Everything considered, it sounds like you should consult with a lactation consultant and have them check to see if baby is latching correct. You are probably producing enough milk, remember babies this young, eat often and if you don't have a boppy pillow already, go and get one. It really makes a difference.

Congrats on your new baby!

N.

1 mom found this helpful

It may be caused by the formula. although i am a mother of 2 and both had rashes on arm and cheeks it was all due to the change of enviorment. when they are in the womb the have plenty of moisture. try some baby excema cream. Aveno has a good line.

Soy is a phyto-estogen and can be highly allergenic. You might want to try Nutramigen. I've even had a few friends who have mixed it with goat's milk and their kids do MUCH better.

Baby acne is completely normal, but I'd check with your pediatrician if you're concerned.

she may not be tollerating the formula well. what you should do is quit giving her one formula and see if it goes away. she might have eczema which could flare up with a food allergy.

I have but it was to regular formula and also to heat (like a heat rash). Some babies are just more sensitive to be swaddled (traditional). It makes them overly heated and thus, the rashy-ness. It could be the formula as well. If you want to know for certain, you can test by touching your babies skin with whatever it is you think they are possibly allergic to....wait a few minutes for a reaction. If after 10-15 minutes nothing....try the other in a different part of the skin....wait again, etc...if nothing, then maybe it is just the heat or possibly an excema patch or dry patch. Our skin is durable but it tells us a whole lot. Good luck & God Bless You!

T.,

I have. My now 18 month old is allergic to soy and intolerant dairy proteins. (Allergies and intolerance involve different immune responses but the result is the same - both make him sick in some way - a rash is usually an actual allergy where intolerances are usually just stomach upset - over simplifying it but you get the idea). I breastfed so I had to eliminate both dairy and soy from my diet (some babies are really sensitive like mine, some are less sensitive). They sell hypoallergenic formulas. In the grocery store they sell Similac Alimentum or Enfamily Nutramigen. They are pricey but you can get coupons by singing up at the Similac or Alimentum website. My son was too sensitive for those formulas but they sell "more" hypoallergenic formulas too that you can special order online or from a pharmacy. Those are called Neocate or Elecare.

:-)T.

It could be just a normal breakout of baby acne. I always feel like if something doesn't cause pain or anything life threatening then it's not a problem, so even if it is causing a small reaction it may not be a big deal. But the only way to find out is if you try it again- it is better for her digestion to be consistant, though. And you can try fenugreek or a mother's milk tea or capsule to increase your supply, because of course that is best.

I am going to assume that the mom who suggested rice milk didn't notice that this request was for a 6 week old baby- breast milk or formula (there is rice formula, though) ONLY for babies.

yes, she is allergic, or atleast not able to digest this. Can you pump and keep that for her? Soy is very hard to digest as is similac.

Hi T., I am a Stay at home mom of a wonderful 2 year old who has more energy than everyone in the world. LOL!! I don't understand why people are telling you that soy is hard to digest because it isn't. Cow's milk is the hardest to digest and my son had trouble with regular formula so we had to change him to soy, which was so much easier on his stomach and now that he is two he drinks silk soy milk. He is allergic to milk and has never been able to digest regular formula from the time he was little. Once he turned one we started him on regular milk and found out that he is alllergic to it. The other thing is I wouldn't change from on formula to another one so quickly it does take their stomach a little bit to get used too. The other thing is your child's rash might be eczema. My son develop eczema at 6 weeks old. We didn't know what it was at first, so we took him to the dr. and they told us that it was eczema and gave us a perscription for hydrocortisone cream. That really helped my son but you also have to make sure their skin is keep moist, so make sure you use a lot of lotion with out perfumes and dyes. My son still has eczema to this day but I think he is starting to out grow it. I really hope this helps you. Good luck with everything and God Bless you!

Soy is a very common allergen. Why not try something a little closer to milk?

I too wonder why you went straight to soy and lactose free options. Unless your baby has difficulty with regular formula, you should just try regular formula. You're only supplementing anyway and hopefully addressing the issue of your production (make sure you pump as long as she would breastfeed while you supplement too so that you don't decrease because she's not eating as much.) Fenugreek, mother's milk tea and I used beer as well and it does work!!
Something you should know about the introduction to Soy also is the link between soy creams, formula and foods and severe peanut allergies later in life.
http://www.sciencenews.org/articles/20030315/food.asp
I would discuss this rash with your doctor and discontinue using the soy formula immediately (since it could very well be the beginning of a legume allergy)
The study reads in one part "Even more intriguing, Lack says, is the fact that children with peanut sensitivity were significantly more likely to have been fed a soy-based formula or milk."

The location of this rash, “in the crock of the elbow" says eczema to me. Often caused by food allergies, that are one of the most classic locations, along with the back of the knees you will see.
You have no way of knowing at this point what she is allergic to-the soy or the similac. You'll have to test separately, again, and see what happens. If you feed her both products again, 2 weeks apart, you should see which one it is. If no rash appears after feeding these products again, you have a mystery.
And, by the way, feeding a supplemental bottle because your milk is insufficient, in the first few weeks, especially, is not the best tactic if you want to continue breastfeeding. You recover the amount of milk the baby nursed within hours-if you interrupt the cycle with supplemental bottles, you're milk supply will stay low. Pump and freeze the milk between feedings as well, and your milk supply will be sufficient.

Hi T. -
If you are looking for an alternative, Rice Dream rice milk is excellent, has no side effects and tastes good. My son has been drinking it for some time. It has plenty of calories (which kids need) and is fortified with vitamins, etc. We get the orginal flavor that is organic.

Good luck, L.

I had that problem with my daughter. At first she was allergic to formula, then to soy milk. She had acne from the formula but diarrhea from the soy milk. After trying different forumlas I began giving her whole cows milk - the doctor didn't have any other answers. She did just fine with it and never had another problem.

Cow proteins are very difficult for babies to digest and giving them cow's milk before 1 year old can lead to lactose intolerance. I use Earth's best as well and did not notice a rash. I only give him 1-2 ounces at night when he's going through a growth spurt. If you let your baby nurse on demand your body will learn to produce more milk. I've also used Mother's Milk by Traditional medicinals.

Hi T.--

I agree with Natalie on the regular formula thing...unless there is a ethical or medical reason, you should probably try the regular 1st. I would just check with your DR though on the rash.

Regarding Rice Dream-- DO NOT GIVE THIS TO YOUR 6 WEEK OLD. It is fine when they are older (like over 1)--- but your baby needs a real formula. Though it isn't common, as with anything kids can be allergic to Rice Dream as well (mine are).

Good luck!!

many different elements can cause skin rashes on a child, but it is wise to try to find the source. because dairy can be hard on young digestive systems and the soy formulas i have seen are high in corn syrup, i would highly recommend rice formula - it is non-allergenic. i buy a brand called Ultra Kid Care by a company called Metagenics. you could probably email the company to find who sells it in your area. it is termed medical grade food so it is usually only sold through chiropractors or natural health practitioners.

incidentally fenugreek and leafy greens as well as beer (no more than one a day) are supposed to aide in higher milk production - for your intake ! =)also you could check if there is a milk bank in your area where moms with high amounts of milk pump it and donate it for moms and babies who prefer breast milk =)

above all my hopes are that you aren't stressing about your milk production and your baby's intake - the stress would be the worst part of it all for both of you =) take care

Hello T.-when I went from breastfeeding to formula my baby developed dry skin also. There is nothing more pure then mommy's milk so I wouldn't doubt that her body is responding to the formula. I would encourage you to pump between feedings to get your milk supply up. Eat well and get lots of rest. Don't stress either, that can hinder your milk production.