Why consuming soy milk are harmful for babies?

It all started when I read my friend's blog about soy milk. Well she did write regarding what people say about soy milk and not of what I intended to write here. What caught my attention was that she mentioned there are a number of people(mostly the malay society) believed by drinking soy milk during pregnancy, you will have a baby of a fairer skin(I guess that's like what everyone wants by believing in such thing). My personal view is that I do not believe it's true. The colour of the skin is genetic really.

Moving on, there are many research done regarding soy milk and the dangers of soy milk. In the US, a vegan parent fed their newborn baby only soy milk, apple juice and a small amount of breast milk. Six weeks later the baby died because of insufficient nutrients. The parents were sent to jail.

According to research, soy milk were proven to have caused growth problem in children, infertility and breast cancer to women also in infants it has been linked to autoimmune thyroid disease.

Soy milk also increases the body's requirement for vitamin D. It absorbs the vitamin D thus leaving a small amount behind for the body. Newborns require a lot of vitamin D for it's system and a low amount of vitamin D will result to jaundice.

There are some parent out there who substitute breast milk or formula milk with soy milk for their infants because their babies are allergic to these type of milk. Studies have shown by giving them only soy milk will only do harm to infants as it has a chemical called genistein which can cause damage the intestinal growth in babies.

Pregnant women can drink soy milk but in a moderate manner as it can disrupt the endocrine to function and also the potential to cause infertility as well as promote breast cancer due to the substance that is in the soy called phytoestrogens. This amount of estrogens contained in soy milk is equivalent of at least five birth control pill per day. Premature development of girls and also the underdevelopment of males were linked to the consumption of soy milk.

Breast milk is the best milk for babies under the age of 6 months. Therefore mothers should always bare in mind that breast milk is the best milk to feed their newborns and if they can not produce breast milk only then they can opt for formula milk and avoid feeding them soy milk whether it is fresh or formula. Both are equally harmful to babies. Moreover babies who are breastfed exclusively are proven to have better functioning immune systems as well as added protection against heart disease, eczema, asma, respiratory infection and the list goes on.

My intention of writing this entry is to give an awareness to all mothers out there about the dangers of soy and also to promote breast milk at the same time. If you are able to feed your child with breast milk please do so. Allah has given women the best milk for their babies for a reason and if you love your little ones please give your child the best milk in the world~

Smile Alwayz =)