Ms. Mary Silva
Specializing in feeding and nutrition.
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 Ask Mary Silva
Getting 13-Month-Old to Drink Soy Formula | | | QUESTION | | | Dear Ms. Silva,
My baby is 13 months old and has been allergic to all dairy products. She is a breastfed baby that will not drink any soy formula (Isomil) or soy grown up milk. We have tried to flavor it, but still nothing. Please help.— Linnea G. in Newark | | | ANSWER |
March 22, 2001 | | | Dear Linnea,
You're right to be concerned about your baby. Children who are allergic to cow's milk are at risk for consuming too little calcium, Vitamin D, and sometimes calories and protein.
It often takes some time before a baby will drink enough soy formula to be beneficial. Usually parents have to consistently offer the formula in small amounts four to six times a day before their children will drink enough.
Some ways to get your baby to drink soy formula include:
- Restricting other fluids, such as juice, so that she'll drink it for thirst.
- Adding flavor to the formula by blending it with fruit or a little infant cereal.
- Changing to a ready-to-feed formula or simply trying a new brand of the type you currently use.
- Letting your toddler dip crackers or low sugar cookies (milk protein free in your case) in the formula and then drinking the rest.
You can add formula to food by adding one scoop of powdered soy formula to one half cup of moist food three to five times a day. Once your baby drinks twelve to sixteen ounces of formula, you can add less of the powder to the food.— by Mary Silva, M.S., R.D. |
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