I have already clearly stated my conviction that the observation and
evaluation of a breastfeeding by an IBCLC should include a weight check -
this is not the ONLY item but a very important item - as long as the scale
is an EXCELLENT one, and not one that is used for general infant weight
checks.  Our Public Health Nurses monitor baby's general growth and
development with a "normal" electronic scale - when I must do a follow-up
visit due to issues they have identified and been unable to correct with the
usual interventions, I use the larger, more expensive and more accurate
scale.  

For this reason, a scale rode with me daily for over 4 years, until now,
when our Public Health Nurses' skills have improved and I am not needed
anywhere near as much...AND I also have a different job 50% of the time
However, despite the awful California roads and highways (I will not go into
the politics of this, but believe me they are bad) AND the high California
temperatures - the scale has remained amazingly accurate.  I have needed to
change the batteries once a year or even less often. (As the homes I visit
often do not have safe places near plugs I use only batteries.)  I check it
monthly with a 10K weight and often weigh a baby right after the PHN has
used her scale just so we each are using the scale we will be repeating a
follow-up and avoid mixing up weights (dressed vs undressed, etc).  My
weights are always taken with a diaper, theirs are always taken naked.  The
differences in the weights are usually just the weight of the diaper - and
if one is very different, we check the scales in the office and have ALWAYS
found that it is THEIR scale that needs to be calibrated.

Jeanette Panchula, BSW, RN, PHN, IBCLC
California

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