The Committee has recommended that further research is needed to give a better understanding of the actions of phytoestrogens in the human body. One per cent of babies are fed soya-based infant formulae because they are not being breast fed and cannot take formulae based on cows' milk. Most babies are fed this formulae on the advice of doctors, health visitors or other health care professionals. In addition, some parents choose to feed this formulae to their babies as soya-based formulae are made wholly from plant material and are acceptable to vegans and other groups who do not wish to feed their baby on cows' milk products. Parents who have not been advised but have chosen to give their baby soya- based formulae should continue to feed their baby on the formulae but seek advice from their doctor, health visitor or other health care professional.
Breast feeding is the best way of feeding infants and can help prevent allergies.
Infant formulae provide an alternative source of nutrition and formulae based on cow's milk are preferable for most bottle-fed babies. Phytoestrogens are widely distributed, naturally occurring plant chemicals found, for example, in peas and green beans, which have a weak oestrogenic activity. Other soya-based products are available for all age groups. Where soya is not the sole source of nutrition, intakes of phytoestrogens are likely to be low. COT recently reviewed the health aspects of phytoestrogens as part of on-going programme of reviews of naturally occurring chemicals and concluded that there was a need for further research.