Infant Soy Allergy And Solid Foods

Infant soy allergy occurs when a baby's body mistakenly treats a harmless substance - soy - as a harmful one. (See our main allergies page for more information about preventing and identifying reactions to various foods, plus a list of potential allergens).

IMPORTANT: The information given here is meant as a guide and should not be taken as professional medical advice.

If you are concerned that your child may be allergic to any foods, consult a doctor immediately.
And always discuss the introduction of any new foods with a medical professional before giving them to your child.

What is soy?

Soybeans are part of the legume family, are very high in protein and contain all eight essential acids. The word "soy" comes from the Japanese word "shoyu".

Soy is known by various names, including

soya
soybean
glycine max
Edamame
natto
okara
soja
tempeh
yuba

Infant soy allergy - the facts

Allergies to soy are fairly common, particularly among infants. The average age of diagnosis is 3 months - many babies that are allergic to soy are also allergic to cows' milk.

It is unclear which component of soy causes these reactions, but scientists have found soy to contain at least 15 allergenic proteins.

Symptoms of infant soy allergy include

diarrhea
vomiting
irritability
dermatitis (itchy rash)
rhinitis
asthma
colic-like symptoms
reflux

What are the risk factors for infant soy allergy?

Existing allergies to other foods
Family history of soy or peanut allergy
Diagnosis of asthma, rhinitis or eczema, or a family history of these conditions

It is also believed that introducing foods containing soy before 6 months of age can increase the risk of infant soy allergy.

Many parents prefer to delay the introduction of soy until at least 8 months, or avoid it altogether for the first year.

NOTE: If your baby is allergic to soy, he may also react to green peas, chick peas, green beans, lima beans, barley, wheat or rye . These foods should be introduced with care, under the supervision of your child's doctor.

Infant soy allergy - solid foods

Soy contains many essential proteins, vitamins and minerals - so eliminating it from your baby's diet means that you need to provide these essential elements from alternative sources.

Please note that this table is meant as a guide - if your baby is allergic to soy, it is important to discuss his nutritive needs with a dietician. These foods are not suitable for babies of all ages - please visit

Introducing Solids
Feeding your 6-9 Month Baby
or
Recipes for your 10-12 Month Baby

for guidelines on which foods to introduce to your baby at each stage.

Nutrients of soy Alternative sources

Protein Meat, poultry, fish, cheese, milk, eggs (do not give baby egg whites for the first year)

Iron Meat, poultry, green leafy vegetables, kidney beans, whole wheat products (click here for more information about introducing wheat to baby)

Omega 3 fatty acids Wholegrain bread, salmon, tuna, mackerel, ground flax seeds, Omega 3 fortified eggs (do not give baby egg whites for the first year)
Fibre Vegetables, fruits and whole grains

Folate Kidney beans, lentils, green leafy vegetables
Zinc Fish, meat, poultry, vegetables, whole grains
Calcium Cheese, yogurt, broccoli, salmon
Vitamin D Salmon, egg yolk
B Vitamins Cereal, bread, rice, pasta

Infant soy allergy - precautions

When you make your own baby food, you can be 100% sure of what it contains, which is very important if your child has an allergy to a particular food.

Soy, however, appears in many forms and in many foods. People allergic to it may react in different ways - and some foods, such as soybean oil (which does not contain protein) may not cause a reaction at all. Nevertheless, it is important to be aware of the foods that may contain it - and to ensure that anyone else who cares for your baby is aware of these foods too!

Foods that may contain soy

baked goods and baking mixes
cereals
bread crumbs
crackers
chips/crisps
soup
spreads and dips
bean sprouts
cooking spray
vegetable oil
dressings
gravys
sauces
frozen desserts
canned tuna

Always check the labelling on any commercially prepared foods, as they may contain some form of soy. Look for any of the following ingredients, which are associated with soy -

Infant soy allergy - ingredients derived from soy

HVP (Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein)
TSF (Textured Soy Flour)
TSP (Textured Soy Protein)
MSG (Monosodium Glutamate)
lecithin
miso
mono-diglyceride
natto
"natural flavors" - these may include soy
tofu
vegetable oil
vegetable protein (this is often soy protein)
vitamin E (contains soybean oil)

Infant soy allergy - will my baby outgrow it?

Most babies do grow out of their allergies to soy, usually by 2 years of age. At that point, an allergist will work with you to decide when to test your baby, to determine if he has outgrown the problem.