The soy formulas for infants who are allergic to milk – do they give babies everything they need?
Dr. Paige: Yes. In order to meet the nutritional needs of the infant, formulas – whether based on milk or soy – must follow very strict standards set by the FDA and the American Academy of Pediatrics. But the term “milk allergy” has to be used advisedly; it tends to cover several different issues. A milk allergy means that someone has an adverse reaction to protein or other elements in milk. Lactose intolerance is an inability to digest lactose, the sugar in milk. Those who are lactose-intolerant lack sufficient amounts of an enzyme in the digestive tract, called lactase, that breaks down milk sugar.
