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Infant Reactions to Soy Formula

A parent who chooses not to breastfeed and whose baby cannot have milk based baby formula has the option of feeding her baby soy formula. Although a soy formula is an alternative for infants who are allergic to formula containing cow's milk, the American Academy of Pediatrics states an infant also has a 10 percent to 14 percent chance of being allergic to soy protein, and an even higher percent chance of sensitivity. There are a number of symptoms that may occur in a child who has had an allergic reaction to soy formula.

  1. Gastrointestinal Difficulties

    • An infant who is allergic to soy formula may present with gastrointestinal symptoms. General gastrointestinal allergic reactions to soy include diarrhea and vomiting. Stomach discomfort may also be present, but because a baby cannot verbalize that he has a tummy ache he may express this through crying and irritability.

    Upper Respiratory Problems

    • Upper respiratory reactions in a child allergic to soy can vary. A child having a mild reaction may suffer from a runny nose, also known as allergic rhinitis. More severe reactions include the appearance of asthma symptoms and wheezing when breathing. Swelling of the lips, mouth or throat can also occur.

    Skin Rashes

    • A reaction to a soy based baby formula may appear in a baby in the form of a rash. Unexplained dermatitis can be caused by an allergic reaction to soy. In a child having a more severe allergic reaction, hives may develop.

    Possible Developmental Problems

    • Although not caused by an allergic reaction, soy based infant formulas may cause problems in physical development long after a child has weaned. Soy contains phytoestrogens which have estrogen like effects on the body. According to the National Institute of Health Sciences, some baby girls who have been fed soy formula as babies appear to have a tendency to go into early puberty and and to have unusual breast development. Studies are still being done to determine the long term effects soy based formula has on the health and development of children.

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