Dangers of Soy Milk for Toddlers

As infants, the nutritional requirements of babies are met with breast milk and/or formulas. But, as they grow, their requirements too increase. Toddlers require more nutrition than what is offered by breast milk and formulas. At this stage, you may think of other options like cow's milk as one of the ideal beverages. In case of lactose intolerant babies, you have to choose from the alternatives, which include soy milk, rice milk and almond milk. Soy milk is widely used as a healthier alternative to cow's milk. Even those babies who are not lactose intolerant are provided with soy milk as a health supplement. But, is soy milk good for kids?

Is Soy Milk Safe for Toddlers?

So, nowadays, soy milk is widely used as an alternative to cow's milk. Derived from soy beans, this beverage is fast gaining momentum, due to its so-called health benefits. It is said to be an excellent substitute for cow's milk and are offered to babies too. It has been observed that soy milk is mainly given to those children who are lactose intolerant. Even others are offered with this drink which is considered to be healthy. But before starting with soy milk for your toddler, you must be aware of the possible dangers of soy milk for toddlers.

Soy Allergy
One of the common concerns about soy milk dangers for toddlers is the possibility of allergy. As in case of lactose intolerance, soy allergy is also not uncommon in kids. Such kids may develop symptoms like, vomiting, diarrhea, swelling of the face, wheezing and skin rash, after consuming soy milk. While in some cases the symptoms may be mild, it can be severe to fatal in some others. The latter condition is mostly found in babies with other allergies and health problems like, asthma, etc. Even those with a family history of soy allergy may develop severe symptoms if administered with soy milk.

Nutritional Deficiency
Soy milk can be an alternative to cow's milk, but the former does not provide some of the vital nutrients like calcium, which is very necessary for growing kids. Some brands of soy milk are found to be fortified with calcium, but in its natural form, this beverage cannot provide enough calcium. Even protein deficiency may develop in toddlers who drink soy milk instead of cow's milk. This can be overcome by including other sources of protein in the baby's diet. It has also been contended that soy milk contains phytic acid, which inhibits absorption of certain minerals in the body.

Hormonal Problems
Another speculation with regard to the presence of phytoestrogens in the beverage. Phytoestrogens are compounds that can induce an estrogenic effect on the body. In case of toddlers, these compounds may cause hormonal imbalance, resulting in development of breast tissue, thyroid disorders, early sexual development, etc. This side effect of soy milk is still a much debated topic, with some health experts still believe that this drink is safe for toddlers.

Other Soy Milk Dangers
Dangers of soy milk for toddlers include the high levels of manganese in the drink. It is said that soy milk contains 200 times the amount of manganese as found in breast milk. While, human body requires manganese in small amounts, if ingested in large amounts, it can cause neurological damage. It is said that such kids may exhibit violent and aggressive behavior. It is also said that intake of soy milk may trigger symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in those kids who have this condition.
What about infants? It is a common fact that breast milk is the best option for infants. But can infants drink soy milk? It is always better to strictly avoid giving soy milk to infants. Their digestive system may not be able to digest soy milk. Apart from that, most of the above said side effects are applicable for infants too. The above said is only a brief overview about the possible dangers of soy milk for toddlers. Your doctor will be the best person to clear your doubts with regard to this subject.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.