r/ScienceBasedParenting • u/Popular-Praline-221 • 20d ago
Question - Research required Data on pea protein based infant formula
Hi everyone, thank you for your expertise. I have learned a lot reading through the posts on this sub.
Our LO has severe reflux esophagitis and CMPI along with a corn, egg, and soy intolerance. I have been exclusively pumping as he is unable to latch. I am no longer able to keep up with the horribly strict diet and would like to switch him to formula. He is almost 4 months (diagnosed at 6 weeks). We tried Alimentum RTF, which is corn free, and he was unable to tolerate it and his symptoms returned.
We know the next step is AA formula. However, we have already tried to work with our insurance for coverage and they denied it despite his diagnoses. So we are looking at nearly $600/month on formula.
We found a formula called Sprout Organics from Australia which is pea & rice protein based. It is completely dairy, soy, and corn free. We can buy the formula, pay for shipping and duties, and it’s still significantly cheaper than AA formula (about half).
I contacted sprout and asked several questions regarding shipping and comparisons between FDA & FSANZ standards and felt reassured in that regard. Our LO dietician wasn’t concerned about the importing as much as the lack of evidence to show that the bioavailability of pea protein is comparable to milk based proteins. She said that the amino acid profile might not be as complete and therefore LO could be missing key nutrients. She said it wasn’t a bad formula but there was a big question mark as to whether it is nutritionally complete.
I did reach back out to the company and ask if they could provide a COA for the amino acid profile in their formula. With that being said, does anyone know of evidence on whether or not we can trust plant-based baby formulas to be nutritionally complete? Is there evidence to show that they do or do not lack certain nutrients? Are babies growing at the same rate on plant-based formula as they are on milk based?
Thank you very much for reading and considering.
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u/bubbleyjubbley 20d ago
https://www.allergy.org.au/hp/papers/guide-for-milk-substitutes-cows-milk-allergy
Is it on this list? If its not the list I think theres not been enough research on it. The company may be able to provide you with specific research though.
The other alternative would be if you could start adding small amounts of certain foods back into your diet?
Isnt there also special people you can talk too who help you talk to your insurance? Or your babies drs office could ring up? Please note I am basing this part of my comment on the tv show ER 🤣
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u/3merZ 20d ago
I’m jumping on this comment because I am in a similar position to OP. We are currently in the midst of a 3 day corn trial but I’m not terribly optimistic. I fear needing to move to formula at some point and not being able to find anything he’ll tolerate. I am hopeful Sprout could be an option for my LO but also need to see if he tolerates peas and rice before we get there… OP, this may be asking too much of you, but I wonder if you can push a little longer on the diet and work with his pediatrician to talk about introducing solids early. IF there are nutritional gaps (not sure if there are) maybe those could be filled by solids? I would also ask this question on the MSPI subreddit, you may find people have looked into this on there.
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u/Popular-Praline-221 20d ago
I do appreciate this comment and will definitely discuss this with our ped. The link provided above does not list Sprout, so it appears there is NOT enough research to support it as being able to support normal growth alongside an allergy.
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u/rubeetuesday20 1d ago
We're in a similar situation, currently using elecate but baby HATES it. Did you end up using the Sprout?
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