I am of two minds on this...

One, as Dr. Heinig has pointed out in various conference sessions I've
seen, in  the recent Davis study (part of the WHO growth study - but the
material she is reporting on is a study done at the same time related to
breastfeeding support and evaluation), they were unable to establish that
the fact that if a baby was using the number of diapers (wet and stools) 
we have on these logs, this would be a good predictor of whether or not the
mother/baby was having breastfeeding problems.   There was a need for a
personal visit, not a telephone call, to really know what was going on.

We need to be careful that the diary is only one part of an
evaluation/support system that also includes a breastfeeding assessment by
a trained person.  

On the other hand, my son (the PhD) and daughter in law (Masters in Math)
are finding the logs very important in helping them keep a handle on what
has happened.  I had an IBCLC make a home visit the day after discharge,
but they find the log important.  If they didn't have it, they probably
would have been writing it out anyway, but not know what was "normal".  The
problem is, we don't know what IS normal - the variation seems to be very
great.  

I know, I've been trying to get them to look/listen/feel - but those that
are "educated" have a hard time dealing with the "touchy-feely" part of
breastfeeding early on.  I hope things will get better....  He's ready to
go out and rent a scale!!!  I told him I had wanted to do the same thing
(1971) - but found the scale showed he LOST weight after a breastfeeding
(probably due to it being the old-fashioned spring scale), and I cried and
put it in the garage!

By the way - my grandson is Justin Martin Panchula, born November 1, 2000 -
8 lbs!

Jeanette Panchula, RN, IBCLC
Vacaville, CA

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