And more and more parents are turning to alternative formulas to feed their newborns. But soy-based baby milk could be one to avoid. In the latest issue of Britain's The Lancet, researchers found that babies fed soy milk were exposed to doses of estrogen-like chemicals six to 11 times higher than those known to affect adults. Estrogen is one of a group of hormones responsible for the development of female secondary sex characteristics like breasts. Estrogen also plays a role in uterine, ovarian and vaginal function.
Soy milk is full of naturally occurring plant hormones called phytoestrogens.
Well, no one seems to know yet. The effects may even be good. Long-term studies are being set up to monitor the effects of soy products early in life. In the meantime, the safest food for baby is milk from the breast of its mother. The beads come with an instruction card and lengths of cord to make necklaces and bracelets.