Hello everyone, 2 years ago, at the National Association of WIC Directors conference, I attended a session about choosing infant formulas. The speaker, Cathy Breedon, MS, RD, CS, CNS, PhD (c) (whew!), gave us a hand-out that makes the following points: 1. Soy is incomplete protein so methionine is added to improve the quality of the protein. In addition, soy formulas have an increased amount of protein to make up for the somewhat decreased digestability and absorption. 2. There is better absorption of calcium and certain other nutrients from cow milk formula. It is best not to keep a baby on soy if it can be switched back to a cow milk formula. 3. Soy is not the formula of choice for a baby genetically at risk of serious allergy problems, because soy is the second most common allergen in infants, right after cow milk protein. Products with "hydrolyzed protein" would be more appropriate. 4. When there is concern about a baby's ability to handle protein waste products (such as in renal & hepatic disease), there is more urea to excrete with soy formula because of the lower biological value of vegetable protein. Soy formula is not appropriate for preterm babies. Okay, having said that, can someone please explain why our area hospitals routinely give out samples of soy formula to postpartum moms who say they're going to breastfeed. The Ross hospital gift pack, a diaper bag that includes Isomil, even has a tag that states "Isomil soy formula. For the breastfeeding mother." In WIC clinic, I'm always coming across babies who are on soy formula for no other reason than mom said she was going to breastfeed (usually she gave it up the first day). These babies are never switched back to a cow milk formula and no one ever questions this. There must be some logical rationale for this practice but no one here seems to know what it is. Please help! TIA, Diana Dietz, RN, BSN