In addition to the taste that is no less delicious than cow's milk, soy milk also has various benefits for the growth and development of children. In addition, this milk is safe for consumption by children who have allergies to cow's milk or suffer from lactose intolerance.
As the name suggests, soy milk is milk made from ground and boiled soy or soybeans. Pure soy milk can be consumed by adults and can bring many benefits.
Meanwhile, soy formula milk is milk formulated from soy protein isolate and various other nutrients that are beneficial for the growth and development of infants and children, such as omega-3 fatty acids, omega-6 fatty acids, vitamins, fiber, and minerals.
Soy milk is generally consumed by children over 1 year of age with lactose intolerance, allergies to cow's milk protein, and vegetarian children. However, soy formula is also good for consumption by children who do not have any allergies.
Benefit Soya Milk for Children Who Are Not Allergic
A number of studies state that children who consume soy milk have normal growth rates, for example in height, weight, and head circumference, like children who consume cow's milk formula.
Apart from being nutritionally similar to cow's milk formula, there are also several other benefits of soy milk if consumed by children who do not have allergies, namely:
1. Maintain digestive tract function
The high fiber content in soy milk is good for children's digestive tract health. Fiber is useful for maintaining the number of good bacteria in the intestines, maintaining stool quality, and facilitating bowel movements.
Even so, not all soy milk contains a lot of fiber. Therefore, when buying milk, make sure you choose soy formula that is high in fiber. You can see this information on the nutritional information label on the milk packaging.
2. Supports brain development
Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are high in soy milk which is very good for children's brain development. The two types of fatty acids in soy milk are believed to be able to improve children's cognitive abilities, for example in terms of concentration and memory.
3. Supports bone growth
The content of calcium and vitamin D in soy milk is beneficial for the growth of children's bones. Adequate calcium intake in childhood can be the foundation for healthy and strong bones for children later. In addition, adequate intake of calcium and vitamin D can also prevent children from rickets.
4. Boost immunity
Soy milk which is high in fiber is known to have a better effect on the growth of good bacteria in the intestines. This is because the fiber content in soy milk with a special formulation can be a food source for good bacteria.
Good gut bacteria can have a big impact on a child's immune system, including maintaining the balance of immune cells, and producing fatty acids, amino acids, and vitamins, all of which can improve immune system function.
Benefits of Soy Milk for Allergic Children
Soy milk with a special formulation does not contain lactose so it is safe for consumption by children who have lactose intolerance. In addition, the protein content of soy milk is not inferior to that of formula cow's milk, the only difference being the type of protein. The type of protein present in soy milk is safer for children with cow's milk allergies
In addition, soy milk is also ensured to contain energy and nutrients that are in accordance with the needs of children. So, soy milk can replace cow's milk formula to meet the nutritional needs of children, regardless of whether the child has allergies or not.
Although soy milk has many benefits for children's health, exclusive breastfeeding is still the best choice. If breastfeeding is limited or cannot be done, soy milk with a special formulation can be given as a companion to breast milk or as a substitute for formula cow's milk.
It doesn't matter what kind of milk you give, the most important thing is that your baby's nutritional needs are met. To find out whether his nutritional needs have been met, your little one needs to be checked regularly by a doctor. Mothers can also consult with a doctor about the best type of nutritional intake for your little one, according to their needs and health conditions.
