Lactose Intolerance, some pediatrics and experts say, is over-diagnosed in infants. Doctors are beginning to realize this over-diagnosis and over-use of non-dairy or soy-based products. The result is about 25% of the infant formulas sold in the United States are soy-based. With about one quarter of the market occupied by soy-formulas, marketers and formula-producers convince parents that soy is equal to lesser symptoms, no-colic, no-diarrhea and peaceful parenting.
Though soy-based formulas are best for the lactose intolerant infants, they are not as good as they are projected to be. This article will explore the other side of soy-based formulas and the myth behind infant lactose intolerance.
Over-diagnosis of lactose intolerance in babies: Lactose Intolerance is often over-diagnosed in babies. This can be evident from the fact that most parents think that it is milk lactose that causes colic and diarrhea in their babies, offering babies a soy-based formula can cure the symptoms. This is not necessarily the case. Infant formulas are generally segregated according to their three basic criteria – protein composition, carbohydrate source and caloric density. Soy-based formulas are made with soy protein and corn-carbohydrate source. Though this is equally a rich food, lack of calcium and other nutrients in milk can prove to be detrimental to your baby’s health.
Lactose Intolerance is common in babies and should not be taken up as a serious or critical condition. It is but natural for babies to suffer from lactose intolerance on account of lactose overload or lactose malabsorption due to insufficient production of lactose or due to excess consumption of low-fat milk. However, the symptoms do not indicate that your baby is lactase deficient. It just has primary lactase deficiency, which is quite normal for every other baby.
LI in premature babies will be set right once the baby develops proper intestines. Regulation of a baby’s feeding habits can alleviate the symptoms and give enough time for the baby to digest the lactose consumed. But parents tend to think that lactose intolerance can be completely avoided by intake of soy-based formulas. They switch from breastfeeding to soy products to avoid symptoms like diarrhea or conditions like colic. But Soy-based formulas are not as good as they seem to be. Here’s why:
Overrating of Soy-based formulas:
1. The American Academy of Pediatrics says that there is little evidence to prove that soy formulas are beneficial for conditions like colic or diarrhea or IBS in infants
2. Though Soy-based formula shortens the duration of diarrhea in gastroenteritis, it is does not offer a complete solution
3. Infants who are allergic to milk protein are often allergic to soy protein too
4. Soy formula in pre-term infants can lead to inadequate weight gain and lack of bone density
5. Soy formulas never prevent occurrence of atopic diseases (like allergies).
Lactose Intolerance can be treated with low lactose foods or proper regulation of an infant’s diet. Parents need not switch over to soy foods for that. In any case, soy products too do not offer complete relief from baby colic or diarrhea and can instead, lead to malnutrition and bone loss.
