Trialled soy, got vomit. What do you think of this?

[Mashi]

Well, the paed suggested that we do a soy trial when DS was 9 months.   His reasoning was that DS wasn't on soy formula for very long and so he wasn't 100% convinced that his problems on the soy formula weren't just the milk formula still getting out of his system.

So, I held off on the soy until 10 months because I just couldn't bring myself to do it until now!  I gave DS a soy yogurt (which was the paed's suggestion on the first thing to try) at lunch today. He **LOVED** it. Went totally mad over it, and it was so cute watching him bang on his tray for more!  So, he ate almost the entire pot of yogurt (alpro soy). 

Totally refused his bottle an hour later. (He's been good with his lunch bottle the past week or so, taking 4 or 5 ounces.)  Totally 100% refused it - pushed it away, wouldn't even take a sip. Went down for his nap 2 hours after lunch.  I went up at the 40 minute mark like always so I can pat him if he wakes at 45.  So I was sitting there in the dark beside his cot and he turned his head in his sleep and vomited everywhere. He woke, rolled over onto his knees and puked up more.  I got him out of bed, cleaning him off and a few minutes later he had another huge puke.   (TMI: first puke was a yogurt puke, second puke was bkfst stuff so totally cleared out his tummy).

But here's the thing. He seemed a wee bit out of sorts this morning from the start.  Just extra clingy, a bit whingey. Seemed more tired than normal, but we've been having some nap issues and so I assumed it was that.  Whingey because he's tired, etc. I was busy today and wasn't able to give him my full attention which he usually has - lots of excuses.  So I don't know if he was sick from the soy or if he has a bug?  He was really down and quiet and sad for an hour or two after the puke, but then seemed to brighten up and be more himself. Only wanted half of his bedtime bottle (oh, and he mostly refused his first am bottle as well...) and barely touched his dinner. (I only gave him banana as I don't know what to feed a LO with an upset tummy?!)

So, what do you think - is this a reaction from the soy? Is it a puke because he had so much of it and that's a lot of a funny substance in a tummy at once and it's not an intolerance/allergy, just an adjustment? Or is this a tummy bug? 

Should I try some yogurt again in a week and see what happens - soooooooo hesitant to do that, but at the same time, I have to know, iykwim? Just looking for some thoughts from all of you!

Mashi

[~ Vik ~]

Wow, this is a tough one!

I would say that it probably was the soy. Did he puke again after those initial 2 times? If not, it's even more likely that that's what upset his tummy. But you're right, if he was out of sorts since the beginning of the day it's a tough call!

Maybe wait a couple weeks and try a small bit of yogourt again - just a few bites. Hopefully that would be enough to give a reaction if there's going to be one, but not so much as to cause a violent reaction like before. If he tolerates that well, try a little more the next day, etc. And try on a day where he's had a good night's sleep, is happy, etc, so if he does react you know that it was the soy.

Good luck!

[KathrynK]

If he was a bit "off" this morning then he could be coming down with something and the soy is just a decoy. But best to hold off any more for a while till you are sure he's not poorly.
This sounds mad, but do you think he could be teething? The only times Sophie ever threw up was when she was teething, and it was in her bed, just like you describe.
Big hugs xxx

[anna*]

I may be way off here, I really know nothing about these things, but if everything was working as it should, wouldn't breakfast have been cleared from his tummy by the time lunchtime rolled around? If there was still breakfast in there to puke, wouldn't that indicate that it was a little bug? I really have no idea, this just struck me.

I'd suggest same as pps though, give him a few days to check he's not poorly, then give just a couple of spoons of soy yoghurt and stand well clear (((hugs)))

[Shdef]

Well, more than half of the babies who react badly to dairy will react badly to soy. The doctors in the UK recommend it anyway, because it is cheaper than Nutramigen or Alimentum. It is NOT recommended here, it is the greatest allergen. My ped said (Scotty was on HA formula, dairy based, but hypoallergenic nonetheless and not available in the UK  ) if you give an allergy-prone baby soy formula, you may as well give him peanut-based milk. It triggers not only that very allergy, but others, too, like dust, fungi, pollen.

[*Liz*]

I think I would do as you planned. Wait a good week or so to make sure he isn't unwell, and then just try a spoon or so of the soy yoghurt. I understand why you might want to avoid it but I think you really need to know whether he is still soy intolerant.

I suppose what I am thinking is that if you have a definative answer then it will actually be very helpful in the coming months as you move your DS more and more onto a solids 'toddler' diet. Gives you a cleaner picture and plan of action for future months. I think I'd be tempted to find out form the dietician how much yoghurt to give for it to be a fair and conclusive soy challenge next time so you don't end up with more doubts and repeating again etc.

[~ Vik ~]

That's interesting info Steffi.
Dylan is allergic to dairy (he got hives) and our paediatrician recommended trying soy formula first (he's ebf, but I'm slowly weaning him before I go back to work). Ironically, today was day 1 of my trial, and I made his morning cereal with the soy formula. He seems fine so far (about 7 hours later), but he's had an ounce, tops.
I will definitely be watching carefully...

[Shdef]

That is general advice now here. And see what convinced me? Since we introduced HA-formulas, allergy rates have went DOWN. One in ten children here have allergies or asthma (they are connected) but one three in the UK have it. So we are doing SOMETHING right.

The French, against all advice start feeding solids (many many of them, all kinds of stuff but gluten) to their babies from 4 months onwards and their allery rates are even lower than ours.

So, the general advice and wisdom also changes from country to country 

[Spectra]

Sounds like a lot of great advice.  I'll give some hugs!  Poor little guy.  Hopefully it was just a bug.

[Jimbob]

It sounds like it is the soy, howeverer I think it is worth trying again after a week or so just to make sure. I would only give a small amount though.

Kelly

[MLK]

Vomiting was always the main reaction here, too, so I'd be wary. Do you really want to give him soy milk anyway - so is it much of an issue?

Interesting what you say Steffi,  a couple of friends here in Australia have been told by their paediatricians to start solids at 4 months too, citing the allergy concerns. I hedged my bets and started at 5 months for both of mine.

According to a friend of mine who has a French MIL, babies in France are often given vegie or meat broth (bouillon) at 3 months as a first food. Obviously home made!