Soy Milk for 15 Month Old

I only give my son soy milk. I started him on it because he had a terrible diaper rash that wouldn't clear. My nanny's theory was the culture in the milk kept the bacteria grwoing? Not sure if that's true but his rash disappeared in a day and we just kept him on soy. He loves it.

Hi G.,
Soy milk is fine. My 4 year old had very severe ezcema due to cow's milk allergies. It (along with a few supplements) cleared it right up. I have a 19 month old and he has been drinking soy since he was about 13 or 14 months old.

I also wanted to clear up the phytoestrogen scare . . .plant estrogens are NOT related to human estrogen. The name is the same, but its not the same at all. I have a background in nutrition and lots of people are afraid of soy for that very reason and that is not a reason to be wary of soy.

I hope your son gets the relief from his ezcema. If you'd like more information, I'd be happy to chat with you.
B.

Actually lov(ed) tofu and soy but recently learned that it is really not good for you. The only soy that is good for you is fermented. They use a lot of aluminum in the processing of soy. It messes up your adrenals and slows your metabolism because your body cannot break it down. May try goats milk. Harder to get but is very good for you and is excellent for people/children with milk issues. Otherwise I'd look in to anything but soy products for your child. Soy is also known to mess with your thyroid and hormones. Google this one! It is alarming but you should research this one thoroughly.

I give my 13 month old rice milk, specifically Rice Dream Original Enriched. However, if you choose this route make sure you supplement his diet with other sources of fat (magarine, canola oil, olive oil, etc) as rice milk is very low in fat.

Actually, a better alternative to cow's milk is Goats Milk. It is most like human milk.It is available at Jewel and Whole Foods. It has a slightly bitter taste but if you start him now then he will hardly know the difference. It is a little bit more expensive than cow but worth it. Both of my kids drink it. The problem with cow's milk is casein, a protein. It is often linked to both skin and gastrointestinal problems not to mention the hormones and antibiotics now found in most milk is just bad for us. Soy is a better alternative but there are other issues related to phytoestrogens found in soy. It basically is like giving your child hefty doses of estrogen. I hope this helps. If you can't find a good milk alternative, you can usually get calcium from other food sources so he doesn't really need milk at all.

My 16 year old has always been on soy due to milk allergy. She's slowly out growing it but still uses soy for her cereal. I also have an 18 year old is vegan so she has been on soy also. The Silk Soy for kids has additional vitamins in it. The only problem we have had is with my 18 year old. Between the soy milk, soy yogurt, and other soy products she was eating she started having stomach problems. Once she cut back on the soy products and switched to rice milk she has been doing alot better.
The ezcema may not be from the milk. I have ezcema and the last month or so it has been horrible. I cannot wait for summer!The only thing I have found that works for me when the ezcema is getting bad is to use no soap at all!! For shampoo I use a rosemary shampoo.I also use Cetaphil cream or grin & bare it from Bath and Body.

G.:

I would stop the soy and see if it clears up... try just giving him water.

P. RLC, IBCLC, CST
Breastfeeding and Parenting Solutions

My son is allergic to milk and therefor can not have any dairy products. I started him on Soy milk at 12 months and he loves it.He is 2 now and has always handled it fine. I now jump between soy and rice milk but the soy is actually better for him. If you have any questions about other dairy free foods, please ask I have become an expert.

B.

Hi G.,

My daughter has been on the soy milk since she was 12 months old (now 2 and half). We use the Silk Soy milk, and it works great, and she loves it!
My daughter has also suffered from eczema since she was 2 months old. Her doctor told me to use the Aveno Oatmeal bath, but that did not really help her. Then I was introduced to the Arbonne baby care line. I am not sure if you have ever heard of Arbonne, but it is a company who only uses botancially based products. That does NOT have mineral oil (which can make ezcema worse, or any dry skin), dyes or fragrances, or animal by-products (try to google rendering plants, you will be surprised like me). After using the Arbonne products for 2 days, my daughters itchy, dry, red bumps skin cleared up, and now 2 years later is still doing great. I would love to send you some FREE samples to see what results you receive. Just let me know where to send them. My email address is ____@____.com can also check out the Arbonne website where they have helpful info on ezcema and how to treat it at www.arbonne.com.
Please let me know if I can help you anymore. Like I said before, I have been in this situation, and now how difficult it is to see your little one in so much discomfort! Best of luck to you!