I heard Nancy Hurst (of Texas Children's Hospt.) lecture yesterday at the Texas Breastfeeding Summit. She presented data that she and Paula Meier have been gathering for years on the use of test weights with digital electronic scales. The data is unequivical. In blinded studies there were wild miscalculations in evaluating intake on the part of mothers, LCs, PhDs and MDs (all experienced in and dedicated to lactation support) when they assessed intake by the observational methods we all have used: counting sucks, observing jaw excursions, listening for audible swallows, assessing breast fullness before and after feeds, and watching baby cues. The only accurate and consistent information on intake came from using scales that functioned on the level of the Smart Scale or the Baby Weigh. While it is unnecessary to calculate to within 2 grams the intake of a robust term baby, it is critical to be able to document intake in the premature, ill, fragile baby, or the mother with a health or anatomical condition that puts the baby at risk for poor growth. The scale provides a wonder confirmation for both mother and care provider that milk transfer is occuring, or it alerts us to the fact that an intervention is necessary. It has not been my experience that this makes mothers obsessed or stressed, and none of the research indicates scales have this effect. Not every mother needs to purchase a thousand dollar scale just to satisfy her curiosity. If her baby is growing at the rate of about 7 oz per week (for term infants) buying a scale is probably a sign of conspicuous over-consumption. However, professional equip. supported by clinical literature from reputable researchers seems an appropriate ad to have in a professional journal. The ability to test weigh babies protects babies and breastfeeding, and if my scale broke, I'd willingly go into debt to buy another. It was one of the best purchases I ever made. My practice with regard to equip has gotten simpler and simpler. I use next to nothing; but I would not give up my scale. Barbara Wilson-Clay, BSEd, IBCLC Austin Lactation Associates, Austin, Texas http://www.jump.net/~bwc/lactnews.html *********************************************** The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html