Knowledge of Soy Infant Formula Still Low

Knowledge of Soy Infant Formula Still Low

COLUMBUS, OhioOnly 10 percent ofmothers of formula-fed babies are aware that soy can help manage persistentcommon feeding problems, including fussiness, gas and spit-up, according to asurvey of 300 mothers with formula-fed infants, conducted by Penn, Shoen andBerland Associates, a New York-based market research company.

A positive view of soy was held by the majority of thesurveyed mothers, although many felt they had very little information of soyinfant formula. All in all, 30 percent of formula-fed infants were found to usea soy infant formula and 20 percent of mothers made soy foods or beverages partof their own diet. Clinical studies of infants with feeding problems supportthat switching from a milk-based infant formula to a soy-based infant formulacan reduce fussiness, gas and spit-up in most babies, said Robert Murray,M.D., medical affairs director of pediatric nutritionals, Ross Products Divisionof Abbott Laboratories. Many times a soy formula is easier for babies withdelicate stomachs to digest.

Ross Products Division of Abbott Laboratories and the UnitedSoybean Board sponsored the survey.