They were a very intelligent and experienced foster family (five kids of
their own and
the dad is a physician).
When we picked her up, they told of her "stomach troubles" and the ways they
had
attempted to help her. The pediatrician that had been seeing her, had her on
formula
that was milk based.
She came home with us on New Year's Eve and it quickly became apparent that
following her bottle, her stomach would blow-up like a helium balloon. Being
lactose
intolerant myself, I felt that it was apparent that she was also. My husband
went
immediately and picked up a soy based (Isomil, I think, it's been awhile
since the
bottle days).
Sure enough, that was the source of the pain. The only
negative is
that the protein in the soy is constipating and we fought with that while she
was bottle
fed.
There is a POSITIVE aspect that I attribute to being on a soy based formula
as you do;
VERY LITTLE colds, viral illnesses and NOT ONE ear infection or strep in her
life.
(She's 5).
If you think about a carton of milk spoiling, it is the hospitable nature of
milk to
"grow" bacteria (even though it has been pastuerized, it is still has a short
shelf life and
the warmer it is, the worse it is).
What happens when little pools of milk
sit in the
back of a baby's throat (near the ear and nasal passages)? It creates the
perfect
soup for bacteria to grow in (in my humble opinion).
Soy formula which is
fortified
to be healthy but is a by product of soy beans is a much less hospitable
environment
for the growth of organisms.
I had suspected that Evan's unusual good health
was
related to her NOT drinking dairy and I saw a man on television say
that he stopped getting colds when switched off of dairy. I thought "I knew
it!
As I say, just my humble opinion (and mother's instinct) but when our little
guys
don't need to have to battle with one single illness more than what they
already face, it is
something to consider.
Wish pediatricians were more aware of the possiblility, it might save a lot
of
ear infections.
Sincerely,
Joan