From cow milk to soy milk - From owl to bear
Yesterday, I bought a new infant formula for our baby – the Isomil soy milk from Abbott. I’ve long known the disadvantages of cow’s milk. But only yesterday I made the change. Before this, I didn’t even know soy based infant formula exists.
You see, our baby started taking Enfalac A+ from the very first day at maternity center. Since everything was fine, we had the tendency to continue feeding him with this cow’s milk.
But attending Dr Lee health talk last Sunday reminded me again of cow’s milk disadvantages. He thoroughly explained cow’s milk and breast milk comparison. Here is the summary:
1. Molecule structure (basic unit)
Cow’s milk molecule structure is big, hard and dense. Breast milk structure is small, soft and loose. Therefore, baby can easily digest breast milk. And mother has to breast feed baby after only a short interval. Baby has more difficulty in digesting cow’s milk. In fact, they can only digest half of cow’s milk protein. The other half may circulate in the body and stimulate baby’s skin. This causes all sorts of baby skin allergy.
Baby cow has no problem digesting cow’s milk because they have four stomachs. But your poor baby only has one stomach. And because of this, your baby can easily get bloated stomach after drinking cow’s milk.
2. Chemical usage
In the 90s, US FDA approved the usage of Bovine Growth Hormone in cow. The produces many times more milk from cow but reduces cow’s life span for several years. Following this, cow gets more antibiotic to prevent infection. All these harmful chemicals will accumulate in the milk. Do you want your baby to get these chemicals?
3. Nutrients for baby
Breast milk is the best for baby. It contains various beneficial nutrients and antibodies in the right proportion. This helps to strengthen baby’s immune system and promote baby’s healthy growth.
Cow’s milk also contains beneficial nutrients and antibodies. Unfortunately, these are specially prepared for… guess what, baby cow! As you know, human and cow are quite different.
Some product even includes cow’s colostrum (early cow’s milk). It is promoted as having beneficial nutrients to improve human immune system. Well, this is just a marketing gimmick! Cow’s colostrum contains antibodies for cow, not human. Disease in cow and human are very different. Have your heard of a cow infected by HIV or Hepatitis virus? Have you seen a cow having white vaginal discharge? Make yourself clear about this.
Cow’s milk is not good stuff
In short, I think marketing messages about cow’s milk benefits are overstated. And benefits of soy milk are understated. In fact, Dr Lee said various researches showed that cow’s milk not only doesn’t improve osteoporosis, it even makes osteoporosis worse. If anyone still tells you cow’s milk can strengthen your bone, their information is simply outdated.
That’s why we’ve finally made the change to soy based infant formula. My wife still breast feeds baby. When baby doesn’t seem to get enough, we’ll feed him soy milk.
February 18th, 2009 at 11:59 am
cow milk for cows. soy milk for …
“Cow’s milk also contains beneficial nutrients and antibodies. Unfortunately, these are specially prepared for…” , then soy milk is specially prepared for…?
September 7th, 2009 at 12:01 pm
Got this from this website, dont know how accurate but when we’re using alternative milk, for sure there’s risk:
GPs don’t recommend using soya-based formula milk because it contains a substance called phytoeostrogen. This mimics the action of a hormone (chemical in your body) called oestrogen and this may mean your child’s long-term reproductive health is at risk. Always speak to your GP or health visitor before using soya-based formulas as they should only be used in exceptional circumstances.
http://hcd2.bupa.co.uk/fact_sheets/Mosby_factsheets/infant_colic.html
July 16th, 2010 at 12:07 pm
It’s kind of a no-win situation. Cow’s milk has many negatives.
But be aware that soy nowadays is usually genetically modified, so who knows what it’ll do in a baby’s body. It’s not the wholesome soybean created by nature anymore; it’s created by man and grown with pesticides. And phytoestrogens mimic estrogen. In high amounts, especially males, they can have “feminization” effects. Too much estrogen in adults also increases the risk of breast cancer. If anything, have “fermented” soy products. I’m a nutritionist and I can tell you that I recommend boys/men to limit their soy intake.