>As a peer counselor in a rural area, I do offer weight checks as a 
>sign of reassurance, but not as a diagnostic tool.  Sometimes our 
>moms have to travel an hour to get back to the LC, and it is easier 
>for them to come in to our local health department for a quick 
>check.  We expect weight to go up - especially after implementing 
>advice from other health care providers.  The first thing I do if 
>something unexpected (like no weight gain) occurs is to refer mom to 
>pediatrician and/or LC.


OK - this is different from how peer supporters work here, for sure, 
but the UK is mostly well-served by well baby clinics, even in 
relatively remote areas.

Anyone weighing is trained and qualified in infant health, and I do 
think weighing should be seen for what it is - it's really not just a 
piece of interesting information for the mother but also (and more 
importantly)  a potentially clinically important tool.

>
>In this particular case, diaper left on had a story behind it and it 
>didn't seem significant at the time since we were using the check as 
>a "see Mom, baby is gaining weight" which should have been up to 5 
>oz.


That's the risk of weighing being regarded in that way, though - you 
get a result that is anomalous or frankly worrying, and you can't be 
sure how anomalous or how worrying it is. Weighing should be done 
properly, 100 per cent correctly every time, or not at all.

Not your fault Lisa.....it's the stratgies, policies and resources 
that are at fault here :(

Heather Welford Neil
NCT bfc, tutor, UK
-- 

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