Ellen Shell wrote, " Soy formulas are no longer recommended and even banned
in some countries (England for one).  They contain high amounts of
phyto-estrogens, for one thing, and there is strong evidence that high
levels of estrogen for
expesially boy infants may be very damaging to sexual development."

Please, can anyone from England let me know if soy formulas really are
banned in that country, or in any country?  And does anyone have references
to support the contention that high levels of phyto-estrogens are not great
for baby boys?

While all but one of our medical aid societies will *not* pay for LC
services, they will all happily reimburse mothers for the cost of soy
formula if it is prescribed by a doctor (usually on a diagnosis of lactose
intolerance or allergy to cow's milk formula).  This has the effect of
providing moms with free or low-cost formula (which I see as a violation of
the Code), and furthermore promotes the sale of one type of formula over
another.  The cost of feeding one baby for one year on soy formula equates
to 132% of the minimum wage.  I would like to try and *do* something about
this as part of our World Breastfeeding Week activities in August.  Can
anyone help?


Pamela Morrison IBCLC, Zimbabwe