Can a Baby Have Soybeans?

Soybeans, also known as edamame, can be enjoyed on their own or included in a wide variety of dishes. They are high in protein and are often used as a substitute for meat in vegetarian dishes. Your baby will probably be able to eat soy products, but you should wait on whole soybeans until your child is at least 3 years old to reduce the risk of choking.

  1. Allergic Reactions

    • Some individuals are allergic to soybeans and all products derived from them. Therefore, if your family has a history of soy allergies, discuss this with your pediatrician before feeding your baby any soy-based foods. Regardless of family history, watch closely for an allergic reaction the first time you feed your baby a soy product, such as a soy-based infant formula or pureed soybeans. Symptoms include difficulty breathing, swelling in the mouth and tongue, intestinal issues, hives and skin rashes. If you see symptoms, stop feeding your baby soy-based products immediately and go to the emergency room if symptoms include difficulty breathing.

    Soy Milk or Formula

    • Babies who are not breastfed and exhibit milk or lactose allergy or intolerance often drink soy-based formula instead. This is because soy is a rich source of protein and replaces many of the proteins usually found in milk. However, there might be better options, including alimentium formulas that neutralize components in cow's milk that cause allergic reactions or intestinal discomfort.

    Other Soybean-Based Products

    • Babies can begin eating soybean-based products as early as nine months of age. Tofu makes a very easy finger food for babies because it is soft and easy to mash with the gums. Plus, it provides plenty of protein and might be more appealing to babies than meat. You can also include pureed soybeans in homemade baby food at this age. Because pureed soybeans are thick and are a potential allergen, it is best to not introduce them before nine months of age. Your baby can begin drinking soy milk around his first birthday when he transitions off of breast milk or infant formula.

    Whole Soybeans

    • Whole soybeans are just the right size to present a serious choking hazard for babies. Therefore, you should never feed your baby whole soybeans. In fact, you should usually wait until your child is at least three years old before introducing whole soybeans and other hard round foods. If your child is less than three years old but demonstrates a consistent ability to chew foods, including hard ones, before swallowing, you could introduce whole soybeans early under careful supervision.

    2. Previous:

    Next:

    • Finger Foods for 7 Month Olds
      Once a baby is able to grasp things with his or her hands, you may wish to offer finger foods to introduce new tastes and textures. This typically occurs when the baby is around 6 to 9 months old. Many babies enjoy feeding themselves, and eating fing
    • Choosing a Baby Formula
      To maintain safety standards, U.S. law and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) govern the contents and safe production and distribution of all infant formulas.When shopping for infant formula, youll find several basic types.Cows milk–based baby fo
    • Breastfeeding at Work
      This year, I went back to work when my son was eight months old. I knew about the immense health benefits and importance of breastfeeding and I value the special relationship that we have over breastfeeding. While I was nervous about going back to